Company Announcements

RNS Number : 1919I
Distribution Finance Cap. Hldgs PLC
13 April 2022
 

13 April 2022

 

 

Distribution Finance Capital Holdings plc

("DF Capital" or the "Company" together with its subsidiaries the "Group")

 

Audited Results for the 12 months ended 31 December 2021

Transformational performance in first full year operating as a fully authorised bank

 

Distribution Finance Capital Holdings plc, the specialist bank providing working capital solutions to dealers and manufacturers across the UK, today announces its audited results for the 12 months ended 31 December 2021.

 

Highlights

 

2021

2020

Change %

Performance

 

 

 

Loan Book (£m)

249

113

+120

New loans advanced to customers (£m)

690

253

+173

No of dealer customers

805

623

+29

Financial

 

 

 

Gross Revenue

13.6

11.5

+19

Net Income

11.3

2.3

+384

Cost of Risk (%)

0.32

0.86

-63

Loss before tax (£m)

(3.7)

(13.6)

-72

Net Assets (£m)

86.1

50.9

+69

 

•    Transformational impact on the Group's performance in light of its subsidiary, DF Capital Bank Ltd, receiving full authorisation as a bank in September 2020.

•    The Group's loss before tax significantly improved by approximately £10m at £3.7m (FY20: £13.6m), marginally ahead of Board expectations.

•    The loan book more than doubled driven by record loan originations of £690m.

•    Despite significant growth, net interest margin (NIM) maintained in excess of 6% target.

•    The pace of growth has been constrained due to continued supply chain issues, macro-economic factors and high dealer sales, which has seen stock turn accelerate through the year from historic average of 150 days to 105 days.

•    Arrears continue to operate well below through the cycle expectations at 0.4% (2020: 0.2%), with an associated low cost of risk at 0.32% (2020: 0.86%).

•    The Group has raised c£164m of new deposits during the year and now has over 8,000 retail deposit accounts at 31 December 2021.

•    The Group completed a £40m fundraise in February 2021 increasing its net assets to £86.1m, which should support a loan book in excess of £0.5bn.

 

Current Trading (unaudited)

•    The Group has seen record loan origination during Q1 2022, with new lending of approximately £220m, £100m in March 2022 alone.

•    The loan book has increased c20% to £302m at the end of Q1 2022 with more than 850 dealers now being provided with over £680m of facilities.

•    The Group is on the cusp of profitability: fees and lower cost of risk saw the Group achieve a profit in March, however strong dealer sales expected through the middle of the year and building loss provisions as the book grows is expected to delay full year profitability.

•    The pace of stock turn has continued throughout Q1, running ahead of historical normal of 150 days at 105 days.

•    Board expects to end 2022 with a loan book in the region of £400 - 500m and subsequently the net result for the year to range between a loss of £2m and breakeven.

•    The Group intends to prioritise a non-equity Tier 2 raise and/or participation in the British Business Bank's ENABLE guarantee scheme to support its growth plans beyond a £0.5bn loan book; together these are expected to unlock a loan book of up to £0.8bn through to 2024 without the requirement of any additional equity capital.

 

Carl D'Ammassa, Chief Executive, commented: "It is pleasing to report a strong set of financial results that clearly demonstrate the positive impact receiving the banking licence has had on the Group's performance. I'm very proud of the entire team, our products and services are resonating with our customers and their hard work is what has enabled our significant growth and underpins the depth of relationship and quality of service we offer our customers.

"It has been a transformational year, with momentum in new lending that has continued into 2022. We continue to see many opportunities ahead of the Group to support more dealers, enter new sectors and provide more products and services. These factors support our route to full-year profitability, which we now expect in 2023, given macro-economic factors and supply chain challenges."

 

The Group's full Annual Report and Financial Statements have today been published and are available on its investor website at www.dfcapital-investors.com.  

 

Annual General Meeting

The Company will hold its Annual General Meeting in June 2022.  The Notice of AGM and Form of Proxy will be posted to shareholders in due course and a copy will be available at www.dfcapital-investors.com. The AGM will be held at the Company's registered office in Manchester.

 

For further information contact:

 

Distribution Finance Capital Holdings plc

 

Carl D'Ammassa - Chief Executive Officer

+44 (0) 161 413 3391

Kam Bansil - Head of Investor Relations

+44 (0) 7779 229508

http://www.dfcapital-investors.com

 

 

 

Investec Bank plc (Nomad and Broker)

+44 (0) 207 597 5970

David Anderson

Bruce Garrow

Harry Hargreaves

Maria Gomez de Olea

 

 

 

 

 

Chair's Statement

Dear Shareholder

Despite the on-going uncertainties and global impact of COVID-19, 2021 has been a transformational year for DF Capital, being our first full year as a fully authorised bank. We have been bank-ready for some time and have, therefore, been able to quickly deliver significant improvements in the Group's financial performance, whilst maintaining a diligent approach to risk management and lending, appropriate for the challenging and uncertain backdrop.

As recently appointed Chair, and having joined the Board in 2017, it is pleasing for me to now see the Group's strategic ambitions truly come to life. DF Capital has delivered significant growth and record new loans through the period, building on the firm's strong and well-established lending franchise, supported by effective retail deposit raising.

Positive culture and engaged employees

As a Board we are proud with how the entire DF Capital team has responded to the uncertainties caused by the pandemic. There is a palpable ambition across the firm to do the right thing for all the Group's stakeholders, demonstrated by the team's many achievements through the year.

On behalf of the Board, I extend our thanks to the entire team, which has shown its resilience, enthusiasm and engagement throughout this extended period of uncertainty.

Being accredited as "One to Watch" following our first 'Best Companies to Work for' survey of employee satisfaction, as well as achieving rankings across sector and regional league tables, is testament to the positive culture we have in place at DF Capital.

Board changes

We announced John Baines' resignation from the Board in May 2021 and having stepped in as interim Chair at that time, I am delighted to have been appointed the Group's permanent Independent Non-Executive Chair in February 2022, following a thorough search process.

Stephen Greene, shareholder representative director, stepped down from the Board in December 2021, following the sale of Arrowgrass Master Fund Limited's shareholding in the Company.

The Board has already started a search process for an Independent Non-Executive Director who will, once appointed, Chair the Risk Committee.

I would like to thank both John and Stephen for their respective contributions to the Group, and also Carole Machell who has taken on additional Board responsibilities during this period of transition.

Supportive shareholders

In December 2021, we saw Arrowgrass Master Fund Limited, the Group's founding institutional shareholder, sell its entire remaining shareholding in the Group. I would like to thank the team at Arrowgrass for their support of the Group over the 5 years since its inception.

On the back of Arrowgrass's secondary placing, I'm pleased to welcome new shareholders to the register but also extend my thanks, on behalf of the entire DF Capital team, to our existing shareholders many of whom increased their holdings in the Group and have supported us extensively through our journey so far.

As a Board, we remain focused on building a successful and profitable banking franchise that delivers strong and sustainable returns for its shareholders.

Looking to the future

The impact on global supply chains and distribution have continued much longer than anticipated and it is inevitable the terrible conflict in Ukraine will cause further challenges for global markets to navigate over the coming months. Whilst these have slowed the near-term pace of loan book growth, the Group operates in large markets, has a strong pipeline of new dealers, plans to enter new sectors and has ambitions, as laid out at the Group's IPO, to diversify its product base and enter new adjacent lending markets.

The Group is well capitalised following the £40m fund-raise in February 2021 and, therefore, remains in a strong position to unlock its growth potential. The Group's ability to raise retail deposits and an efficient capital plan underpin the firm's near-term growth ambitions.

Mark Stephens
Independent Non-Executive Chair

 

 

Chief Executive Officer's Report

Dear Shareholder

Despite the impact of many global challenges during the year, 2021 felt like the start of a new chapter for DF Capital. We started the year as a fully authorised bank with a transformed cost of funding that has enabled us to deliver a significant improvement in our financial performance, marginally ahead of expectations.

The Group delivered record new loan originations and supported more dealers and manufacturers with our working capital solutions than ever before. We have a strong pipeline of growth opportunities in existing and new lending sectors; are well capitalised; have an engaged and positive team; have excellent levels of customer satisfaction; and see opportunities in adjacent markets to further scale the business. I feel excited about the Group's prospects.

2021: significant progress against a challenging backdrop

As we progressed through the early part of the year, we hoped that there was finally a reason for cautious optimism, feeling we had all the ingredients in place to unlock many of the growth ambitions we laid out at the time of the IPO. Whilst I am delighted with how the Group has performed during the year and the growth we have delivered, this has been against the backdrop of on-going tail effects of COVID-19, material supply chain issues across most sectors in which we operate, global shipping and logistic challenges, the resurgence of COVID-19 restrictions across many geographies and most recently the exacerbations caused by the invasion of Ukraine.

Supporting more dealers than ever

Our primary focus through the year was to re-build our loan book and capitalise on the strong demand we see for our lending products. The Group increased the number of manufacturer partners by 20% to 78 (2020:65) and dealers with facilities by almost 30% to 805 (2020: 623), providing them with over £600m of aggregate loan facilities, up c67% (2020: £358m).

Strong demand from end-users for assets across all sectors in which we operate resulted in a significant increase in the working capital needs of our dealer customers. We originated approximately £690m in loan volumes during 2021 - a record performance and more than 2.7 times the level in 2020 - enabling an estimated £1bn of retail sales for our dealers. We have achieved this growth whilst consistently delivering against our target of a 6% net interest margin.

The strong demand for assets, particularly across those sectors that support leisure, recreational pursuits, and home delivery markets, saw many dealers reporting record levels of sales, built on the pent-up demand for product caused by the pandemic. Across most sectors, whilst levels of manufacturing were up versus 2020, manufacturers struggled to meet the full extent of product demand from dealers. This has been aggravated further by supply chain challenges, difficulty in sourcing key components and raw materials, as well as global shipping issues.

Inflationary price pressures, particularly in timber and steel, have also been a feature that has made retail pricing of product difficult to manage for dealers and manufacturers across their product range, with used residual values increasing significantly given the scarcity of both new and used products.

Strength of demand for end products, a faster selling cycle, combined with manufacturing and logistics not able to keep pace with dealer demand, has held back the speed of loan book growth we had envisaged at the start of the year. This dynamic has required us to work more closely with our manufacturers and dealers, better understanding their order books and anticipating product lead times. For all stakeholders this has proven a more demanding task, fraught with uncertainties and new emerging risks that had not been predicted. It has been an unprecedented period. Given this challenging backdrop, it is pleasing to report that the loan book more than doubled through the year, closing at a record £249m (2020: £113m).

Putting our customers' needs first

We have continued through the year to enhance our digital capabilities and deliver better service to our customers. It is clear to us that our customers like what we do and the way we do business.

We believe in continuous improvement and are at an early stage in exploring Robotic Process Automation across a number of our operational back-office processes. We believe this will allow us to deliver cost efficiencies without compromising our high-quality customer service experience.

For our dealers

We have built greater information flow with dealers between our respective operating platforms, making it easier for them to draw down loans and manage their facilities. Our lending platform is fully API-enabled, allowing easy integration and scaleability of our processes.

We have made it easier for new dealers to open facilities and more of our documentation is now e-signed making the onboarding journey even quicker. Facilities can be activated in hours, with loans being paid out soon thereafter.

We completed a satisfaction survey of our lending customers during Q4 2021 achieving a strong Net Promoter Score of +42 (2020: +45), ahead of our baseline target of +40.

We were delighted to receive industry-wide recognition at the Leasing World Gold Awards in October 2021 as the UK's Top Inventory and Floorplan Finance Provider.

For our savers

We have further enhanced the account opening process and customers can now manage their account entirely online through our self-service platform: administering their account; reviewing their balance; giving us instructions; and transferring funds. We have had great success in retaining savers as their products mature and expect to make further technology enhancements to allow seamless transition between savings products.

Our savings customers rate our service via feefo at 4.6 out of 5 stars and we've been awarded a feefo Gold Trusted Service Award already this year, building on our prior recognition.

Our people define our success

I look back over the last two years with immense pride. The entire DF Capital team has achieved so much, despite the many challenges we have had to face, driven by the global pandemic. We have a strong, committed and engaged team who want to do the right thing for our customers.

As a team, it has become a preoccupation to act sustainably. Balanced against our focus on good risk management and keeping the bank safe, we want DF Capital to be a cool place to work that's challenging but fun. We want to attract some of the best talent in our industry to help support our ambitious growth plans. We want our colleagues to feel they can be who they want to be at work: inclusive with no prejudices or discrimination.

In December 2021, we participated in the "Best Companies to Work for" survey. The outputs of this survey provided us with insight on employee engagement and what it feels like to work at DF Capital. Over 97% of the Group's employees participated in the survey, which indicated we have a good level of engagement across the firm and resulted in accreditation from Best Companies as 'One To Watch'.

The Group was named in the UK's top 25 financial service firms to work for; the North West's top 50 companies to work for; and the UK's top 75 mid-sized companies to work for. Achieving accreditation in our first year of participation has been a proud moment for us all and is a real testament to the positive culture we are building as we grow the Company. However, the survey has identified a number of areas that we believe we can make further improvements through the year ahead as we look to build upon our accreditation rating.

Together we are building a banking franchise that does the right thing for its customers, employees, the environment, its communities and ultimately its shareholders. I am grateful to our colleagues for their hard work but for also making our endeavours such fun.

Looking to growth

Whilst there are undoubtedly near-term market challenges, the Group has sizeable ambitions and see many opportunities to scale the business. These strategic opportunities, which are both organic and inorganic in nature, support our ambitions to deliver a mid-to-high teens return on allocated capital over the medium term.

Growing in our core product

Within our core inventory finance product, we have scope to increase facility utilisation as stock flow starts to normalise. Our existing 805 dealers (as at 31 December 2021) alone have c£350m of unutilised capacity in their lending facilities. With our existing manufacturer partners, we have access to an additional c2,000 dealers presenting us with opportunity to increase our market share as we onboard more of them; the associated facility pipeline totals £1.1bn. In addition, we continue to target new manufacturers in our existing sectors, which in turn presents us with additional dealer prospects.

Outside of our core sectors, we believe that our lending capabilities are transferable to a number of other sectors. We have already tested this by recently entering the specialist and prestige car markets, working with a select number of high-quality dealers. We expect to grow in this space through 2022. Additionally, we are considering working capital solutions that support distributors and manufacturers in sectors such as technology, parts and accessories. We believe a wider range of sectors provides diversification which will help further mitigate the uncertain and unpredictable economic environment.

New product capabilities

We see significant opportunities in adjacent lending markets providing finance through our dealer network particularly "beyond the forecourt". Having a range of business and retail focused products, such as hire purchase and leasing, unlocks further growth for the Group and additional longer term lending opportunities, whilst achieving similar risk adjusted margins. We see these as highly complementary to our core lending activities but also a tool to build a deeper relationship with our dealer and manufacturer partners. We estimate that in 2021 alone we enabled almost £1bn of retail sales, most of which we believe has been financed beyond the forecourt as we are repaid, by other banks or through brokers.

As we laid out at the time of the IPO, having a wider product range and building a deeper multi-product relationship with our manufacturer and dealer partners underpins our growth potential and enables the strength of risk-adjusted returns we believe we can achieve through scale. We are, therefore, actively evaluating opportunities to diversify our product range and would consider an acquisition as a route to accelerate the scaling of the business and achievement of our return ambitions.

2022 outlook

The Group has had a strong start to the year, originating record new loans during Q1 of c£220m and almost £100m in March alone. It's pleasing to report that our loan book grew c20% since the year end to £302m and we have continued to add more dealers (31 March 2022: 858) and now provide facilities in excess of £680m. We are building strong momentum and our products clearly resonate with our customers.

The supply chain challenges seen through 2021 and subsequent impact on delivery timeframes have continued into the start of 2022, particularly across the transportation sector. In spite of the inevitable disruption caused by the conflict in Ukraine, increasing fuel prices and inflation, rising interest rates, further outbreaks of COVID-19 (particularly in China) and limited availability of some raw materials, manufacturers across most sectors are expecting 2022 to be a strong year during which production transitions towards more normalised levels, as they further diversify their supply chains.

However, with continued strong demand for product from end users across most of the sectors in which we operate, which has accelerated our average stock turn from normalised historical average of 150 days to c105 days, we remain cautious about the near-term outlook. We expect the pace of asset sales, seen through 2021, to continue over the coming months with greater normalisation as we close the year.

In light of these factors and the general unpredictability of current markets, as previously announced, we expect our loan book growth to slow over the coming months, impacting average lending balances and therefore generating a lower level of income.

We remain focused on reaching profitability in the near-term and now expect to achieve our first full year of profit in 2023, closing our loan book in the current year in the region of £400-500m.

We are fortunate to operate in very large diversified markets, with a significant pipeline of potential dealers to support growth and increase our market share and loan book over time. This is our near-term focus. We believe that continued growth and scaling of the business, capitalising on the significant growth opportunities ahead of us, underpins our target to deliver mid-to-high teen returns on allocated capital over the medium term as a multi-product lending franchise.

Carl D'Ammassa
Chief Executive Officer

 

 

Chief Financial Officer's Report

Dear Shareholder

2021 has been a transformational year! Following the award of a bank licence in September 2020, DF Capital entered 2021 fully funded by relatively inexpensive retail deposits, enabling a transformation of our Net Income, which increased by 384% to £11.3m (2020: £2.3m). The Group's losses fell by almost £10m to £3.8m (2020: £13.6m).

A growing loan book

Over the course of 2021, the Group's loan book grew 120% to £249m (31 December 2020: £113m). This was achieved despite the tail impact of COVID-19 which saw manufacturers fail to meet the full extent of demand from their dealer networks due to a combination of supply chain issues, increasing commodity prices, lack of availability of some key components and global shipping issues. These have been unprecedented times and all sectors in which the Group operates have been impacted during the year.

Pleasingly, new loan originations increased 173% to a record £690m (2020: £253m). However, strong end-user demand for new and used assets, particularly amongst those sectors focused on the leisure, recreational activities and home delivery markets, driven by pent-up demand from the impact of the pandemic and foreign travel restrictions, meant that stock turn accelerated from c150 to c105 days.

Given our core lending product is repaid on the sale of an asset by a dealer, quicker than normal loan repayments coupled with challenging supply chains has constrained the Group's loan book growth. In a normalised market we would expect facility utilisation to be in the range of 55-65%, however, this closed the year at c42%. As market conditions normalise, this low utilisation provides an opportunity to grow the loan book from the existing base of dealers.

Summarised Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income

2021

£'000

2020

£'000

Gross revenues

13,641

11,511

Interest expense

(2,338)

(9,174)

Net income

11,303

2,337

Operating expenses

(14,507)

(15,063)

Impairment charges

(556)

(1,294)

Provisions for commitments and other liabilities

25

417

Exceptional items

-

-

Loss before taxation

(3,735)

(13,603)

Taxation

59

 -

Loss after taxation

(3,676)

(13,603)

Other comprehensive loss

(162)

(22)

Total comprehensive loss

(3,838)

(13,625)

 

Throughout the year, we have maintained a highly diversified mix of assets across our core sectors, successfully increasing our commercial (non-leisure assets) lending activities. Total new loans to the commercial sector exceeded £260m throughout the year, representing 37% of the loan book at the year-end (2020: 29%).

Increased gross revenues with strong yield

Gross yield increased during the period to 7.9% (2020: 7.7%), driven largely by the re-instatement of facility fees that had been waived during much of the pandemic. In addition, increased stock turn has had a marginal positive impact on yield as certain fixed fees are spread over a shorter loan period.

Gross revenues, which are predominantly comprised of interest and facility fees, have increased with the loan book growth by 19% to £13.6m (2020: £11.5m).

Transformational impact of funding

Net Interest Margin (NIM), which is gross yield less interest expense, increased significantly to 6.5% (2020: 1.5%) reflecting the transformational impact of the Group being entirely funded by retail deposits following the award of a bank licence in September 2020.

The Group has continued to raise retail deposits to support its anticipated loan book growth, in line with its liquidity strategy, closing the year with £297m of deposits (2020: £146m). We have continued to build a well-diversified range of product maturity profiles in both the notice and fixed rate markets, delivering an average interest rate of 1.16% (2020: 1.17%).

Arrears (£'000)

 

31 December 2021

31 December 2020

Arrears - principal repayment, fees and interest

 1-30 days past due

105

27

31-60 days past due

834

22

61-90 days past due

-

39

91 days + past due

164

132

 

1,103

220

% Loan book

0.4%

0.2%

Associated principal balance

 1-30 days past due

951

96

31-60 days past due

834

7

61-90 days past due

-

14

91 days + past due

184

259

 

1,970

376

% Loan book

0.8%

0.3%

 

Strong arrears and impairments performance

We have continued to intensively manage our loan portfolio and arrears position, which has remained better than pre-pandemic levels. This strong credit performance has resulted in exceptionally low default cases. Arrears increased to 0.4% of the loan book at 31 December 2021 (31 December 2020: 0.2%), however, the comparative against prior year represents an exceptionally low level; we do expect the loan portfolio to return to more normal levels over the medium term.

Given the strong performance of the loan book, positive financial results felt by most dealers, improving economic conditions and outlook for the UK economy compared to December 2020, we adjusted our loss provision assumptions, reducing the level of COVID-19 overlay to our IFRS9 model. This reduced provisioning combined with a low level of write offs has seen impairment charges and provisions for the year of just £0.6m (2020: £1.3m). As a percentage of average gross receivables, the Group's cost of risk for 2021 reduced to 0.32% (2020: 0.86%). The impairment allowance at 31 December 2021 as a percentage of gross receivables was 0.75% (2020: 1.14%), which reflects the low level of arrears and the estimated impact of the prevailing economic uncertainties on our customer base. These estimates remain higher than we have seen during 2021 but we believe align with broader external economic indicators.

Strong security position

As a niche lender, we provide working capital to UK based dealers secured against their inventory or stock. Our loans are advanced, in the main, against the wholesale value of an asset. We do not advance funds measured against retail prices, which typically represent a mark-up of approximately 20% on the wholesale invoice price. We have seen our security position normalise as new loans have been originated through the year. The value of dealer loans outstanding compared to wholesale value ('loan to value' or 'LTV') at 31 December 2021 was 91% (December 2020: 80%). This increase in loan to value is predominantly driven by higher origination of loans through manufacturer programmes, which generally are funded at a higher LTV at inception, but monthly principal repayments usually see the LTV fall quickly through the life of a loan. The quicker stock turn and fewer monthly principal repayments before a loan is repaid in full has increased the headline LTV. We expect the LTV to reduce closer to 85% as stock turn normalises over time.

We hold additional security, which mitigates any credit losses further, in the form of debentures, personal and directors' guarantees as well as having manufacturer repurchase or redistribution agreements in place across c60% of our loan book.

Improving cost efficiencies

During the first COVID-19 lockdown in 2020 we took action to reduce our cost base due to the pandemic. The benefits of this flowed through into 2021. Whilst we received support from the government's Job Retention Scheme of £89,000 during 2020, this was repaid in full in early 2021.

Despite headcount increasing to 93 at the year-end (2020: 74), overall operating expenses reduced by 4% to £14.5m (2020: £15.1m).

The Group's priority is to profitably scale the business, grow lending and deliver further cost efficiencies. Given our highly digitised client facing processes and on-going investment in automation, we believe much of the cost we need to support our near-term loan book targets is already embedded. Our cost to income ratio has reduced significantly to 128% (2020: 641%) and we expect to see further reductions in this ratio as the loan book grows, underpinning the delivery of our return ambitions.

Capital raise further strengthens capital base

In February 2021 we completed a £40m capital raise to support the Group's growth ambitions and pipeline of opportunities. With equity at the year-end of £86.1m (2020: £50.9m), this gives us sufficient regulatory capital to support a loan book in excess of £0.5bn.

As we look forward and consider our organic growth plans in our core lending product through to 2024, we do not expect to raise further Tier 1 capital. The Group intends to prioritise Tier 2 Capital and/or participation in the British Business Bank's ENABLE guarantee scheme to unlock lending in excess of £0.5bn, which together could support growth of the Group's loan book up to c£0.8bn without the requirement for any additional equity capital.

Our CET1 ratio at the end of 2021 was c.38% (2020: c.50%); well above our regulatory capital minimum limits.

Gavin Morris
Chief Financial Officer

 

Report of the Directors

The Directors present their Annual Report on the affairs of the Group, together with the consolidated financial statements, company financial statements and auditor's report, for the year ended 31 December 2021.

 

Details of significant subsequent events are contained in note 34 to these consolidated financial statements. An indication of likely future developments in the business of the Group are included in the Strategic Report section.

 

Information about the use of financial instruments by the Group is detailed within note 31 to the consolidated financial statements.

 

Principal activity

The principal activity of the Group is as a specialist personal savings and commercial lending bank group. The Group provides niche working capital funding solutions to dealers and manufacturers across the UK, enabled by competitively priced personal savings products.

 

Results and dividends

The total comprehensive loss for the year, after taxation, amounted to £3,838,000 (2020: loss £13,625,000).

The Directors do not recommend the payment of a dividend (2020: £nil).

 

Directors'

The Directors who held office during the year and up to the date of the Directors' report were as follows:

 

Mark Stephens

Carole Machell

Thomas Grathwohl

Haakon Stenrød                                  

Carl D'Ammassa                                   

Gavin Morris

John Baines                                           (resigned 19 May 2021)

Stephen Greene                                  (resigned 17 December 2021)

 

Directors' shareholdings

As at 31 December 2021, the Directors held the following ordinary shares in the Company:

Director 

Position

No. of ordinary shares

Voting rights (%)

 

 

 

 

Mark Stephens

Independent Chairman

             62,500

0.03%

Carole Machell

Independent Non-Executive Director

             83,333

0.05%

Thomas Grathwohl

Independent Non-Executive Director

           283,312

0.16%

Carl D'Ammassa

Chief Executive Officer

           307,940

0.17%

Gavin Morris

Chief Financial Officer

           305,478

0.17%

 

Significant shareholders

As at 31 December 2021, the following parties held greater than 3% of issued share capital in the Company:

 

No. of ordinary shares

Voting rights (%)

 

 

 

Watrium AS

                                               26,646,093

14.86%

Liontrust Asset Management

                                               23,236,775

12.95%

Davidson Kempner Capital Management

                                               16,612,431

9.18%

BlackRock Investment Management

                                               13,651,121

7.61%

Lombard Odier Asset Management

                                               12,653,408

7.05%

Premier Miton Group plc

                                                 8,172,026

4.56%

 

Political and charitable donations

The Group made charitable donations of £6,933 (2020: £nil) and no political donations during the twelve-month period ended 31 December 2021 (2020: £nil).

 

 

Annual General Meeting

The Company anticipates holding its Annual General Meeting in June 2022.  The Notice of AGM and Form of Proxy will be posted to shareholders in due course and a copy will be available at www.dfcapital-investors.com. The AGM will be held at the Company's registered office in Manchester.

 

Directors' insurance and indemnities

The Group has maintained Directors and Officers liability insurance for the benefit of the Group, the Directors, and its officers. The Directors consider the level of cover appropriate for the business and will remain in place for the foreseeable future.

 

Statement of Going Concern

The Directors have completed a formal assessment of the Group's financial resources. In making this assessment the Directors have considered the Group's current available capital and liquidity resources, the business financial projections and the outcome of stress testing. Based on this review, the Directors believe that the Group is well placed to manage its business risks successfully within the expected economic outlook.

 

Accordingly, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the Annual Report and Financial Statements.

 

Corporate Governance

The Corporate Governance Report on pages 53-87 contains information about the Group's corporate governance arrangements.

 

Subsequent events

There have been no significant events between 31 December 2021 and the date of approval of the financial statements which would require change to the financial statements. Note 34 provides information in respect of subsequent events.

 

Disclosure of information to the auditor

Each of the persons who is a Director at the date of approval of this annual report confirms that:

 

§ so far as the Director is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the Company's auditors are unaware; and

§ the Director has taken all the steps that they ought to have taken as a Director in order to make themself aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the Company's auditors are aware of that information.

This confirmation is given and should be interpreted in accordance with the provisions of s418 of the Companies Act 2006.

 

Reappointment of auditor

Deloitte LLP have expressed their willingness to continue in office as auditors and a resolution to reappoint them will be proposed at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting.

 

 

Approved by the Board on 12 April 2022 and signed on its behalf by:

 

………………………………………..

Carl D'Ammassa

Director

 

 

Statement of Directors' Responsibilities

The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

 

Company law requires the Directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the Directors have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law).

 

Under company law the Directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Group and of the profit or loss of the Group for that period. In preparing these consolidated financial statements, International Accounting Standard 1 requires that Directors:

§ select appropriate accounting policies and apply them consistently;

§ present information, including accounting policies, in a manner that provides relevant, reliable, comparable and understandable information;

§ provide additional disclosures when compliance with the specific requirements in IFRSs are insufficient to enable users to understand the impact of particular transactions, other events and conditions on the entity's financial position and financial performance; and

§ make an assessment of the Group's ability to continue as a going concern.

The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Group's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Group and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006.  They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Group and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

 

The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the Company's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

 

 

Financial Statements

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

 

 

2021

2020

 

Note

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

 

Interest and similar income

4

13,259

11,233

Interest and similar expenses

6

 (2,338)

 (9,174)

Net interest income

 

10,921

2,059

 

 

 

 

Fee income

7

466

168

Net gains/(losses) on disposal of financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income

 

20

 (3)

15

Other operating (expense)/income[1]

 

 (81)

95

Total operating income

 

11,303

2,337

 

 

 

 

Staff costs

8

 (9,121)

 (9,805)

Other operating expenses

10

 (5,386)

 (5,182)

Net impairment loss on financial assets

13

(556)

(1,294)

Provisions

12

25

417

Other losses

 

-

 (76)

Total operating loss

 

 (3,735)

 (13,603)

 

 

 

 

Loss before taxation

 

 (3,735)

 (13,603)

 

 

 

 

Taxation

15

59

-

Loss after taxation

 (3,676)

 (13,603)

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income/(loss):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Items that may subsequently be transferred to the income statement:

 

 

 

 

 

FVOCI debt securities:

 

 

 

Amounts transferred to the income statement

20

3

-

Fair value movements on debt securities

20

 (165)

 (22)

Total other comprehensive loss for the year, net of tax

 (162)

 (22)

 

 

 

 

Total comprehensive loss for the year

 (3,838)

 (13,625)

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share:

 

pence

pence

 

 

 

 

Basic EPS

32

 (2)

 (13)

Diluted EPS

32

 (2)

 (13)

 

 

[1] During the year ended 31 December 2021, the Group made a voluntary repayment of £89,245 in relation to income previously granted as part of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

 

The notes on pages 107-163 are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

The financial results for all periods are derived entirely from continuing operations.

 

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

 

 

 

As at

As at

 

 

31 December

31 December

 

 

2021

2020

 

Note

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

22

29,597

21,233

Debt securities

20

108,867

66,601

Loans and advances to customers

19

247,205

111,337

Trade and other receivables

21

1,133

1,154

Property, plant and equipment

16

99

139

Right-of-use assets

17

641

64

Intangible assets

18

1,066

794

Total Assets

 

388,608

201,322

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

Customer deposits

28

296,856

145,982

Financial liabilities

29

554

107

Trade and other payables

30

5,067

4,261

Provisions

12

73

83

Total Liabilities

 

302,550

150,433

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

 

 

Issued share capital

24

1,793

1,066

Share premium

24

39,273

-

Merger relief

24

94,911

94,911

Merger reserve

26

 (20,609)

 (20,609)

Own shares

25

 (364)

 (364)

Retained loss

 

 (28,946)

 (24,115)

Total Equity

 

86,058

50,889

 

 

 

 

Total Equity and Liabilities

 

388,608

201,322

 

 

The notes on pages 107-163 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

These financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 12 April 2022.  They were signed on its behalf by:

 

 

 

……………………………

Carl D'Ammassa

Director

12 April 2022

 

 

Registered number: 11911574

 

 

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

 

 

Issued share capital

Share premium

Merger relief

Merger reserve

Own shares

Retained loss

Total

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at 1 January 2020

1,066

-

94,911

(20,609)

-

(10,812)

64,556

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss after taxation

 

 

 

-

 

(13,603)

(13,603)

Other comprehensive loss

-

-

-

-

-

 (22)

 (22)

Share based payments

-

-

-

-

-

         322

322

Employee Benefit Trust loan

-

               -

-

-

 (364)

               -

 (364)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at 31 December 2020

  1,066

               -

94,911

(20,609)

 (364)

 (24,115)

50,889

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss after taxation

      -

             -

          -

            -

             -

 (3,676)

 (3,676)

Other comprehensive loss

         -

               -

           -

            -

            -

(162)

 (162)

Share based payments

        -

       -

   -

       -

           -

  362

 362

Issue of new shares*

     727

39,273

     -

            -

          -

(1,355)

38,645

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at 31 December 2021

  1,793

    39,273

94,911

(20,609)

 (364)

 (28,946)

86,058

 

* The conditional placing of new ordinary shares includes £1.355m of directly attributable expenses recognised in equity relating to the issuance of new shares.

 

The notes on pages 107-163 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

Refer to note 24 and 25 for further details on equity movements during the periods.

 

 

Consolidated Cash Flow Statement

 

 

 

2021

2020

 

Note

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

Loss before taxation

 

(3,735)

(13,603)

Adjustments for non-cash items and

other adjustments included in the income statement

22

1,446

2,059

(Increase)/decrease in operating assets

22

(136,244)

96,764

Increase/(decrease) in operating liabilities

22

151,711

(19,073)

Taxation paid

15

-

-

Net cash generated from operating activities

 

13,178

66,147

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

Purchase of debt securities

20

(350,980)

(120,721)

Proceeds from sale and maturity of debt securities

20

307,958

62,107

Interest received on debt securities

20

549

-

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

16,17

(253)

(32)

Purchase of intangible assets

18

(586)

(226)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(43,312)

(58,872)

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

Issue of new shares

24

38,645

-

Repayment of lease liabilities

22

(147)

(164)

Net cash generated from/(used in) financing activities

 

38,498

(164)

 

 

 

 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

8,364

7,111

Cash and cash equivalents at start of the year

 

21,233

14,122

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period

22

29,597

21,233

 

Notes to the Financial Statements

 

1. Basis of preparation

 

1.1  General information

 

The consolidated financial statements of Distribution Finance Capital Holdings plc (the "Company" or "DFCH plc") include the assets, liabilities, and results of its wholly owned subsidiary, DF Capital Bank Limited (the "Bank"), together form the "Group".

 

DFCH plc is registered and incorporated in England and Wales whose company registration number is 11911574. The registered office is St James' Building, 61-95 Oxford Street, Manchester, England, M1 6EJ. The Company's ordinary shares are listed on the Alternative Investment Market ("AIM") of the London Stock Exchange.

 

The principal activity of the Company is that of an investment holding company. The principal activity of the Group is as a specialist personal savings and commercial lending bank group. The Group provides niche working capital funding solutions to dealers and manufacturers across the UK, enabled by competitively priced personal savings products.

               

These financial statements are presented in pounds sterling, which is the currency of the primary economic environment in which the Group operates, and are rounded to the nearest thousand pounds, unless stated otherwise.

 

1.2 Basis of preparation

 

Both the Group consolidated financial statements and the Company financial statements have been prepared and approved by the Directors in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRSs") as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB") and the UK adopted IFRS. The consolidated and Company financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis and under the historical cost convention except for the treatment of certain financial instruments.

 

All intra-group transactions, balances, income, and expenses are eliminated within the consolidated financial statements within this Annual Report and Financial Statements. The consolidated financial statements contained in this Annual Report consolidate the statements of total comprehensive income, statements of financial position, cash flow statements, statements of changes in equity and related notes for Distribution Finance Capital Holdings plc and DF Capital Bank Limited, which together form the "Group", which have been prepared in accordance with applicable IFRS accounting standards. Subsidiaries are consolidated from the date on which control is transferred to the Group. Accounting policies have been applied consistently throughout the Group and its subsidiary.

 

By including the Company financial statements, here together with the Group consolidated financial statements, the Company is taking advantage of the exemption in Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 not to present its individual income statement and related notes that form a part of these approved financial statements.

 

1.3 Adoption of new and revised standards and interpretations

 

During the year ended 31 December 2021, the Group did not adopt any new standards and amendments to existing standards which were effective for accounting periods starting on or after 1 January 2021. A number of other new and revised standards issued by the International Accounting Standards Board also came into effect on 1 January 2021, but they do not have a material effect on the Group's financial statements and are not further disclosed. The Group has not early adopted any other standard, interpretation or amendment that has been issued but is not yet effective.

 

The Group assessed the following new standards, amendments and interpretations which have had no material impact on the financial statements as follows:

 

a.     Amendments to IAS 12 'Income taxes': 'Income Tax Consequences of Payments on Instruments Classified as Equity'

b.     'Interest Rate Benchmark Reform': Amendments to IFRS 9 'Financial Instruments', IAS 39 'Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement' and IFRS 7 'Financial Instruments: Disclosures'

c.     Amendment to IFRS 16: COVID-19 rent concessions

 

 

1.4 Principal accounting policies

 

The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of this financial information are set out below. These policies have been applied consistently to all the financial periods presented.

 

1.5 Going concern

 

The financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis as the Directors are satisfied that the Group has adequate resources to continue operating in the foreseeable future.  In making this assessment the Directors have considered the Group's current available capital and liquidity resources, the business financial projections and the outcome of stress testing. Based on this review, the Directors believe that the Group is well placed to manage its business risks successfully within the expected economic outlook. Accordingly, the Directors have adopted the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.

 

Information on the Group's business strategy, performance and outlook are detailed in the Chairman's Statement, Chief Executive Officer's review and Chief Financial Officer's review. The Risk Overview sections further detail the key risks faced by the Group and mitigants and provides an overview of the Group's Risk Management Framework.

 

1.6 Critical accounting estimates and judgements

In accordance with IFRS, the Directors of the Group are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions in certain subjective areas whilst preparing these financial statements. The application of these accounting policies may impact the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses and actual results may differ from these estimates.

 

Any estimates and underlying assumptions used within the statutory financial statements are reviewed on an ongoing basis, with revisions recognised in the period in which they are adjusted, and any future periods affected.

 

Further details can be found in note 3 on the critical accounting estimates and judgements used within these financial statements.

 

1.7 Foreign currencies

The financial statements are expressed in Pound Sterling, which is the functional and presentational currency of the Group.

 

Transactions in foreign currencies are translated to the Group's functional currency at the foreign exchange rate ruling at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies at the reporting date are retranslated to the functional currency at the foreign exchange rate ruling at that date. Non-monetary assets and liabilities that are measured in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency are translated using the exchange rate at the date of the transaction. Foreign exchange differences arising on translation are recognised in the statement of income.

 

1.8 New accounting standards issued but not yet effective

The Group assesses on an ongoing basis the impact of new accounting standards which are not yet effective at the reporting date and the likely impact of the new accounting standard on the financial statements. At 31 December 2021, the Group has applied all new IFRS standards and foresees no additional standards with a likely material impact to consider at this time.

 

2. Summary of significant accounting policies

 

2.1 Revenue recognition

 

Net interest income

Interest income and expense for all financial instruments except for those classified as held for trading or measured or designated as at fair value through profit and loss ("FVTPL") are recognised in "Net interest income" as "Interest income" and "Interest expenses" in the income statement using the effective interest method.

 

The effective interest rate ("EIR") is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash flows of the financial instrument through the expected life of the financial instrument or, where appropriate, a shorter period, to the net carrying amount of the financial asset or financial liability. The future cash flows are estimated taking into account all the contractual terms of the instrument.

 

The calculation of the EIR includes all fees and points paid or received between parties to the contract that are incremental and directly attributable to the specific lending arrangement, transaction costs, and all other premiums or discounts.

 

In calculating the EIR, management have taken into consideration the behavioural characteristics of the underlying loans in the lending portfolio which includes evaluating the expected duration of loans and any additional behavioural fees.

 

The interest income/expense is calculated by applying the EIR to the gross carrying amount of non-credit impaired financial assets (that is, to the amortised cost of the financial asset before adjusting for any expected credit loss allowance), or to the amortised cost of financial liabilities.

 

For credit-impaired financial assets, as defined in the financial instruments accounting policy, the interest income is calculated by applying the EIR to the amortised cost of the credit-impaired financial assets (that is, to the gross carrying amount less the allowance for expected credit losses ("ECLs").

 

Fee income

All fee income relates to fees charged directly to customers based on their credit facility. These fees do not meet the criteria for inclusion within interest income.  The Group satisfies its performance obligations as the services are rendered.  These fees are billed in arrears of the period they relate to.

 

Fee income is recognised in accordance with IFRS 15 which sets out the principles to follow for revenue recognition which takes into consideration the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows resulting from a contract with a customer. The accounting standard presents a five-step approach to income recognition to enable the Group to recognise the correct amount of income in the corresponding period(s):

 

·      the contract has been approved by the parties to the contract;  

·      each party's rights in relation to the goods or services to be transferred can be identified;  

·      the payment terms for the goods or services to be transferred can be identified;  

·      the contract has commercial substance; and  

·      it is probable that the consideration to which the entity is entitled to in exchange for the goods or services will be collected

 

All other income is currently recognised under IFRS 9 under the effective interest rate methodology, however, when new fees are implemented, they will be assessed as to whether they fall under IFRS 9 (EIR) or IFRS 15. IFRS 9 and IFRS 15 have been applied consistently to all the financial periods presented.

 

Other income from financial instruments

For financial instruments that are classified as FVTPL, any interest or fee income is included in the statement of comprehensive income within the fair value gain or loss.

 

Debt securities are measured at fair value through other comprehensive income. The securities are measured at their closing bid prices at the reporting date with any unrealised gain or loss recognised through other comprehensive income. Once the assets have been disposed, the corresponding realised gain or loss is transferred from other comprehensive income into the income statement.

 

The Group presently holds no financial instruments for trading or hedging purposes, nor has it designated any items as FVTPL.

 

Other operating income/(expense)

Other operating income predominantly consists of UK government grant monies (including repayments of previously awarded monies) and other minor income received by the Group.

 

2.2 Other expense from financial instruments

Any interest or fees incurred in servicing liabilities carried at FVTPL are included in the profit and loss account within "Net gain/(loss) from financial instruments at FVTPL".

 

2.3 Property, plant and equipment

All property, plant and equipment is stated at historical cost (or deemed historical cost) less accumulated depreciation, and less any identified impairment. Cost includes the original purchase price of the asset and the costs attributable to bringing the asset to its working condition for its intended use. 

 

Depreciation is provided on all property, plant and equipment at rates calculated to write each asset down to its estimated residual value on a straight-line basis at the following annual rates:

 

Fixtures & fittings                                                - 3 years

Computer equipment                                         - 3 years

Telephony & communications                           - 3 years

Leasehold improvements                                   - 3 years

 

Right-of-use assets are depreciated over the shorter period of the lease term and the useful life of the underlying asset. All current lease agreements have a maximum lease term of 5 years. If a lease transfers ownership of the underlying asset or the cost of the right-of-use asset reflects that the Group expects to exercise a purchase option, the related right-of-use asset is depreciated over the useful life of the underlying asset.

 

Useful economic lives and estimated residual values are reviewed annually and adjusted as appropriate.

 

The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sales proceeds less any costs of disposal and the carrying amount of the asset, which is recognised in the Income Statement.

 

2.4 Intangible assets

 

Computer software

Computer software which has been purchased by the Group from third party vendors is measured at initial cost less accumulated amortisation and less any accumulated impairments.

Computer software is estimated to have a useful life of 3 years with no residual value after the period. These assets are amortised on a straight-line basis with the useful economic lives and estimated residual values being reviewed annually and adjusted as appropriate.

 

Internally generated intangible assets

Internally generated intangible assets are only recognised by the Group when the recognition criteria have been met in accordance with IAS 38: Intangible Assets as follows:

 

·              expenditure can be reliably measured;

·              the product or process is technically and commercially feasible;

·              future economic benefits are likely to be received;

·              intention and ability to complete the development; and

·              view to either use or sell the asset in the future.

The Group will only recognise an internally generated asset should it meet all the above criteria. In the event of a development not meeting the criteria it will be recognised within the consolidated income statement in the period incurred.

 

Capitalised costs include all directly attributable costs to the development of the asset. Internally generated assets are measured at capitalised cost less accumulated amortisation less accumulated impairment losses. The internally generated asset is amortised at the point the asset is available for use or sale. The asset is amortised on a straight-line basis over the useful economic life with the remaining useful economic life and residual value being assessed annually.

 

Internally generated assets are amortised on a straight-line basis over a period of 3-5 years with no expected residual balance.

 

Any subsequent expenditure on the internally generated asset is only capitalised if the cost increases the future economic benefits of the related asset. Otherwise, all additional expenditure should be recognised through the income statement in the period it occurs.

 

2.5 Financial instruments

 

Initial recognition

Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised in the statement of financial position when the Group becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

 

Financial assets and financial liabilities are initially measured at fair value.  Transaction costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition or issue of the financial assets and financial liabilities (other than financial assets and financial liabilities at FVTPL) are respectively added to or deducted from the fair value of the financial assets or financial liabilities, as appropriate, on initial recognition.  Transaction costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition of financial assets and financial liabilities at FVTPL are recognised immediately in the consolidated income statement.

 

Financial assets

 

Classification and reclassification of financial assets

Recognised financial assets within the scope of IFRS 9 are required to be classified as subsequently measured at amortised cost, fair value through other comprehensive income (FVTOCI) or fair value through profit or loss (FVTPL) on the basis of both the Group's business model for managing the financial assets and the contractual cash flow characteristics of the financial assets.

 

Financial assets are reclassified if, and only if, the business model under which they are held is changed. There has been no such change in the allocation of assets to business models in the periods under review.

 

I.             Loans and advances to customers

Loans and advances to customers are held within a business model whose objective is to hold those financial assets in order to collect contractual cash flows. Further, the contractual terms of the loan agreements give rise on specified dates to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest on the principal amount outstanding. 

 

Accordingly, loans and advances to customers are subsequently measured at amortised cost.  After initial measurement, such financial assets are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method (EIR), less impairment. Amortised cost is calculated by taking into account any discount or premium on acquisition and fees or costs that are an integral part of the EIR. The EIR amortisation is included in interest and similar income in the income statement. The losses arising from impairment are recognised in the income statement and disclosed with any other similar losses within the line item "Net impairment losses on financial assets". 

 

II.            Fair value through other comprehensive income (FVTOCI)

FVTOCI financial assets includes debt securities in the form of UK Treasury Bills and UK Gilts. These assets are not classified as: loans and receivables; held-to-maturity investments; or financial assets at fair value through profit or loss.

 

Regular purchases and sales of debt securities are recognised on the trade date at which the Group commits to purchase or sell the asset.

 

III.           Trade receivables

Trade receivables do not contain any significant financing component and accordingly are recognised initially at transaction price, and subsequently measured at amortised cost less accumulated impairment allowance.

 

 

IV.           Other receivables

 

Other receivables are held only to collect contractually due payments of principal (and exceptionally interest charges due on late settlement). Where the fair value of these transactions is materially similar to the transaction price, each is recognised initially at the contracted amount, and subsequently measured at amortised cost less accumulated impairment allowance.

 

 

 

 

 

V.            Cash and cash equivalents

 

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash balances and demand deposits with a maturity date of less than three months from recognition. These balances are readily convertible into cash and subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value. Cash and cash equivalents are measured at amortised cost less accumulated impairment allowance.

 

Impairment

The Group recognises loss allowances for expected credit losses ("ECLs") on the following financial instruments that are not measured at FVTPL:

 

·      Loans and advances to customers

·      Other receivables*

·      Trade receivables*, and

·      Loan commitments

*IFRS 9 permits entities to apply a 'simplified approach' for trade receivables, contract assets and lease receivables. The simplified approach permits entities to recognise lifetime expected losses on all these assets without the need to identify significant increases in credit risk. The Group has adopted this simplified approach for assessing trade and other receivables balances. The Group confirms these trade and other receivable balances do not contain a significant financing component.

 

With the exception of purchased or originated credit impaired ("POCI") financial assets (which are considered separately below), ECLs are measured through loss allowances calculated on the following bases.

 

ECLs are a probability-weighted estimate of the present value of credit losses. These are measured as the present value of the difference between the cash flows due to the Group under the contract and the cash flows that Distribution Finance Capital expects to receive arising from the weighting of future economic scenarios, discounted at the asset's EIR.

 

The Group measures ECL on an individual basis, or on a collective basis for portfolios of loans that share similar economic risk characteristics. The loss allowance is measured as the difference between the contractual cash flows and the present value of the asset's expected cash flows using the asset's original EIR, regardless of whether it is measured on an individual basis or a collective basis.

 

A financial asset that gives rise to credit risk, is referred to (and analysed in the notes to this financial information) as being in "Stage 1" provided that since initial recognition (or since the previous reporting date) there has not been a significant increase in credit risk, nor has it has become credit impaired.

 

For a Stage 1 asset, the loss allowance is the "12-month ECL", that is, the ECL that results from those default events on the financial instrument that are possible within 12 months from the reporting date.

 

A financial asset that gives rise to credit risk is referred to (and analysed in the notes to this financial information) as being in "Stage 2" if since initial recognition there has been a significant increase in credit risk (SICR) but it is not credit impaired.

 

For a Stage 2 asset, the loss allowance is the "lifetime ECL", that is, the ECL that results from all possible default events over the life of the financial instrument.

 

A financial asset that gives rise to credit risk is referred to (and analysed in the notes to this financial information) as being in "Stage 3" if since initial recognition it has become credit impaired.

 

For a Stage 3 asset, the loss allowance is the difference between the asset's projected exposure at default (EAD) and the present value of estimated future cash flows discounted at an applicable EIR. Further, the recognition of interest income is constrained relative to the amounts that are recognised on Stage 1 and Stage 2 assets, as described in the revenue recognition policy set out above.

 

If circumstances change sufficiently at subsequent reporting dates, an asset is referred to by its newly appropriate Stage and is re-analysed in the notes to the financial information.

 

Where an asset is expected to mature in 12 months or less, the "12-month ECL" and the "lifetime ECL" have the same effective meaning and accordingly for such assets the calculated loss allowance will be the same whether such an asset is at Stage 1 or Stage 2. In order to determine the loss allowance for assets with a maturity of 12 months or more, and disclose significant increases in credit risk, the Group nonetheless determines which of its financial assets are in Stages 1 and 2 at each reporting date. 

 

Significant increase in credit risk - policies and procedures for identifying Stage 2 assets

Whenever any contractual payment is past due, the Group compares the risk of a default occurring on the financial instrument as at the reporting date with the risk of a default occurring on the financial instrument as at the date of initial recognition in order to determine whether credit risk has increased significantly.

 

See note 31 for further details about how the Group assesses increases in significant credit risk.

 

Definition of a default

Critical to the determination of significant increases in credit risk (and to the determination of ECLs) is the definition of default. Default is a component of the probability of default (PD), changes in which lead to the identification of a significant increase in credit risk, and PD is then a factor in the measurement of ECLs. 

 

The Group's definition of default for this purpose is:

 

·      A counterparty defaults on a payment due under a loan agreement and that payment is more than 90 days overdue; or

·      The collateral that secures, all or in part, the loan agreement has been sold or is otherwise not available for sale and the proceeds have not been paid to the lending company; or

·      A counterparty commits an event of default under the terms and conditions of the loan agreement which leads the lending company to believe that the borrower's ability to meet its credit obligations to the lending company is in doubt.

The definition of default is similarly critical in the determination of whether an asset is credit-impaired (as explained below).

 

Credit-impaired financial assets - policies and procedures for identifying Stage 3 assets

A financial asset is credit-impaired when one or more events that have a detrimental impact on the estimated future cash flows of the financial asset have occurred. IFRS 9 states that evidence of credit-impairment includes observable data about the following events:

·      A counterparty is 90 days past due for one or more of its loan receivables;

·      significant financial difficulty of the borrower or issuer;

·      a breach of contract such as a default (as defined above) or past due event, or

·      The Group, for economic or contractual reasons relating to the borrower's financial difficulty, having granted to the borrower a concession that the Group would not otherwise consider.

The Group assesses whether debt instruments that are financial assets measured at amortised cost or at FVTOCI are credit-impaired at each reporting date.  When assessing whether there is evidence of credit-impairment, the Group takes into account both qualitative and quantitative indicators relating to both the borrower and to the asset. The information assessed depends on the borrower and the type of the asset.  It may not be possible to identify a single discrete event - instead, the combined effect of several events may have caused financial assets to become credit-impaired.

 

See note 31 for further details about how the Group identifies credit impaired assets.

 

Purchased or originated credit-impaired ("POCI") financial assets

POCI financial assets are treated differently because they are in Stage 3 from the point of original recognition.  It is not in the nature of the Group's business to purchase financial assets originated by other lenders, nor has the Group to date originated any loans or advances to borrowers that it would define as credit impaired.

 

Presentation of allowance for ECL in the statement of financial position

Loss allowances for ECL are presented in the statement of financial position as follows:

·      For financial assets measured at amortised cost: as a deduction from the gross carrying amount of the assets; and

·      For loan commitments: as a provision.

 

Revisions to estimated cash flows

Where cash flows are significantly different from the original expectations used to determine EIR, but where this difference does not arise from a modification of the terms of the financial instrument, the Group revises its estimates of receipts and adjusts the gross carrying amount of the financial asset to reflect actual and revised estimated contractual cash flows. The Group recalculates the gross carrying amount of the financial asset as the present value of the estimated future contractual cash flows discounted at the financial instrument's original EIR.

 

The adjustment is recognised in the consolidated income statement as income or expense.

 

Modification of financial assets

A modification of a financial asset occurs when the contractual terms governing a financial asset are renegotiated without the original contract being replaced and derecognised.  A modification is accounted for in the same way as a revision to estimated cash flows, and in addition;

·      Any fees charged are added to the asset and amortised over the new expected life of the asset, and

·      The asset is individually assessed to determine whether there has been a significant increase in credit risk.

Derecognition of financial assets

The Group derecognises a financial asset only when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire, or when it transfers the financial asset and substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of the asset to another entity. If the Group neither transfers nor retains substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership and continues to control the transferred asset, the Group recognises its retained interest in the asset and an associated liability for amounts it may have to pay. If the Group retains substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of a transferred financial asset, the Group continues to recognise the financial asset and also recognises a collateralised borrowing for the proceeds received.

 

On derecognition of a financial asset in its entirety, the difference between the asset's carrying amount and the sum of the consideration received and receivable and the cumulative gain or loss that had been recognised in other comprehensive income and accumulated in equity is recognised in the income statement.

On derecognition of a financial asset other than in its entirety (e.g., when the Group retains an option to repurchase part of a transferred asset), the Group allocates the previous carrying amount of the financial asset between the part it continues to recognise under continuing involvement, and the part it no longer recognises on the basis of the relative fair values of those parts on the date of the transfer. The difference between the carrying amount allocated to the part that is no longer recognised and the sum of the consideration received for the part no longer recognised and any cumulative gain or loss allocated to it that had been recognised in other comprehensive income is recognised in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income. A cumulative gain or loss that had been recognised in other comprehensive income is allocated between the part that continues to be recognised and the part that is no longer recognised on the basis of the relative fair values of those parts.

Write-offs

Loans and advances are written off when the Group has no reasonable expectation of recovering the financial asset; either in its entirety or a portion of it. This is the case when the Group determines that the borrower does not have assets or sources of income that could generate sufficient cash flows to repay the amounts subject to the write-off. A write-off constitutes a derecognition event. The Group may apply enforcement activities to financial assets written off. Recoveries resulting from enforcement activities will result in impairment gains.

 

Financial liabilities

 

Financial liabilities and equity

Debt and equity instruments that are issued are classified as either financial liabilities or as equity in accordance with the substance of the contractual arrangement.

 

A financial liability is a contractual obligation to deliver cash or another financial asset or to exchange financial assets or financial liabilities with another entity under conditions that are potentially unfavourable to the Group or a contract that will or may be settled in the Group's own equity instruments, or a derivative contract over own equity that will or may be settled other than by the exchange of a fixed amount of cash (or another financial asset) for a fixed number of the Group's own equity instruments. Gains or losses on financial liabilities are recognised in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

 

 

 

Equity instruments

The Group classifies capital instruments as financial liabilities or equity instruments in accordance with the substance of the contractual terms of the instruments. Where an instrument contains no obligation on the Group to deliver cash or other financial assets, or to exchange financial assets or financial liabilities with another party under conditions that are potentially unfavourable to the Group, or where the instrument will or may be settled in the Group's own equity instruments but includes no obligation to deliver a variable number of the Group's own equity instruments, then it is treated as an equity instrument. Accordingly, the Group's share capital are presented as components of equity and any dividends, interest or other distributions on capital instruments are also recognised in equity. Any related tax is accounted for in accordance with IAS 12.

 

Financial liabilities

Financial liabilities are classified as either financial liabilities at FVTPL or other financial liabilities.

 

Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss may include financial liabilities held for trading. Financial liabilities are classified as held for trading if they are acquired for the purpose of selling in the near term.

 

During the periods presented the Group has held no financial liabilities for trading, nor designated any financial liabilities upon initial recognition as at fair value through profit or loss.

 

Other financial liabilities - loans and borrowings

Interest bearing loans and borrowings are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method. Gains and losses are recognised in the income statement when the liabilities are derecognised as well as through the effective interest rate method (EIR) amortisation process. Amortised cost is calculated by taking into account any discount or premium on acquisition and fees or costs that are an integral part of the EIR. The EIR amortisation is included in "Interest and similar expenses" in the Income Statement.

 

Derecognition of financial liabilities

The Group derecognises financial liabilities when, and only when, the Group's obligations are discharged, cancelled or they expire.

 

Impairment of non-financial assets

The carrying amounts of the Group's non-financial assets, other than deferred tax assets, are reviewed at each reporting date to determine whether there is any indication of impairment. If any such indication exists, then the asset's recoverable amount is estimated. The recoverable amount of an asset or cash-generating unit is the greater of its value in use and its fair value less costs to sell. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset. For the purposes of impairment testing, assets that cannot be tested individually are grouped together into the smallest group of assets that generates cash inflows from continuing use that are largely independent of the cash inflows of other assets or groups of assets ('the cash-generating unit').

 

An impairment loss is recognised if the carrying amount of an asset or its cash-generating unit ('CGU) exceeds its estimated recoverable amount. Impairment losses are recognised in the income statement. Impairment losses recognised in respect of CGUs are allocated to reduce the carrying amounts of assets in the unit (or group of units) on a pro rata basis.

 

An impairment loss is reversed if and only if the reasons for the impairment have ceased to apply.

 

Impairment losses recognised in prior periods are assessed at each reporting date for any indication that the loss has decreased or no longer exists. An impairment loss is reversed only to the extent that the asset's carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined, net of depreciation or amortisation, if no impairment loss had been recognised.

 

2.6 Current and deferred income tax

 

Income tax on the result for the period comprises current and deferred income tax. Income tax is recognised in the statement of comprehensive income except to the extent that it relates to items recognised directly in equity, in which case it is recognised in equity.

 

Current tax is the expected tax payable or receivable on the taxable income for the period, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the reporting date, and any adjustment to tax payable in respect of previous periods.

 

Deferred tax is provided using the balance sheet liability method, providing for temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for taxation purposes. The amount of deferred tax provided is based on the expected manner of realisation or settlement of the carrying amount of assets and liabilities, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the reporting date.

 

The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each reporting date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow all or part of the asset to be recovered. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to set off current tax assets against current tax liabilities and when they relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority and the Group intends to settle its current tax assets and liabilities on a net basis.

 

2.7 Employee benefits - pension costs

 

A defined contribution plan is a post-employment benefit plan under which the Group pays fixed contributions into a separate entity and will have a legal or constructive obligation to pay further amounts. Contributions to defined contribution schemes are charged to the statement of comprehensive income as they become payable in accordance with the rules of the scheme. Differences between contributions payable in the year and contributions actually paid are shown as either accruals or prepayments in the statement of financial position.

 

2.8 Share based payments

 

The Group has a number of long-term incentive share schemes for all employees, including some Directors, whereby they have been granted equity-settled share-based payments in the Group. The share schemes all have vesting conditions with some schemes for senior management being subject to specific performance conditions. All share schemes are equity settled share-based payments.

 

The fair value of equity settled share-based payment awards are calculated at grant date and recognised over the period in which the employees become unconditionally entitled to the awards (the vesting period). Fair value is measured by use of the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The variables used in the model are adjusted, based on management's best estimate, for the effects of non-transferability, exercise restrictions and behavioural considerations.

 

The share-based payments are recognised as staff costs in the income statement and expensed on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, based on estimates of the number of shares which may eventually vest. The amount recognised as an expense is adjusted to reflect differences between expected and actual outcomes, such that the amount ultimately recognised as an expense is based on the number of awards that meet the related service and specific performance conditions at the vesting date. The change in estimations, if any, is recognised in the income statement at the time of the change with a corresponding adjustment in equity through the retained earnings account.

 

See note 9 for further details on the share schemes.

 

2.9 Leasing

 

The Group presently is only a lessee with lease agreements with third-party suppliers. It does not hold any lessor contracts with customers. 

 

IFRS 16 distinguishes leases and service contracts on the basis of whether an identified asset is controlled by a customer for which these are deemed as right-of-use assets. The lessee is required to recognise a right-of-use asset representing the Group right of use and control over the leased asset. Furthermore, the Group is required to recognise a lease liability representing its obligation to make lease payments over the relevant term of the lease. The Group will recognise both interest expense and depreciation charges, which equate to the finance costs of the leases.

 

Furthermore, the classification of cash flows will also be affected because operating lease payments under IAS 17 are presented as operating cash flows; whereas under the IFRS 16 model, the lease payments will be split into a principal and an interest portion which will be presented as financing and operating cash flows respectively.

 

Lease liability

The lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the lease payments that are not paid at that date. The Group assesses on a lease-by-lease payments the contractual terms of the lease and likelihood of the Group enacting on available extension and break clauses within the lease in order to determine the expected applicable term of the lease. Once determined, the Group analyses the expected future payments of the lease over this applicable term, which are discounted. The interest rate used to discount the cashflows is the interest rate implicit to the lease agreement. Where this is not available, the Group has applied their incremental borrowing rate. The incremental borrowing rate is the rate of interest that the Group would have to pay to borrow, over a similar term and with a similar security, the funds necessary to obtain an asset of a similar value to the right-of-use asset in a similar economic environment.

 

Subsequently, the lease liability is adjusted for interest and lease payments, as well as the impact of lease modifications, amongst other variables. The interest expense of the lease liability is calculated under the effective interest rate where the interest expense equates to the lease payments over the remaining term.

 

Right-of-use asset

The right-of-use asset is initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost (subject to certain exceptions) less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses, adjusted for any remeasurement of the lease liability.

 

The cost at initial recognition is calculated as the initial lease liability plus initial direct costs, expected restoration costs and remaining prepayment balances at the commencement date.

 

The right-of-use asset is subsequently measured at cost, less accumulated depreciation, and any accumulated impairment losses. Any remeasurement of the lease liability results in a corresponding adjustment to the right-of-use asset.

 

The Company calculates depreciation of the right-of-use asset in accordance with IAS 16 'Property, Plant and Equipment' and is consistent with the depreciation methodology applied to other similar assets. All leases are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the lease term and the useful life of the right-of-use asset.

 

Restoration costs will be estimated at initial application and added to the right-of-use asset and a corresponding provision raised in accordance with IAS 37 'Provisions, contingent liabilities, and contingent assets. Any subsequent change in the measurement of the restoration provision, due to a revised estimation of expected restoration costs, is accounted for as an adjustment of the right-of-use asset.

 

Short-term leases and leases of low value assets

The Group leases some smaller asset classes, such as computer hardware, which either has a value under £5,000 per annum or has a lease period of 12 months or shorter. For such leases, the Group has elected under IFRS 16 rules to treat these as operating leases and hold off-balance sheet. These leases are charged to the income statement on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

 

2.10 Provisions for commitments and other liabilities

 

Provisions are recognised when the Group has a present obligation (legal or constructive) as a result of a past event, it is probable that the Group will be required to settle that obligation and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation.

 

The amount recognised as a provision is the best estimate of the consideration required to settle the present obligation at the reporting date, taking into account the risks and uncertainties surrounding the obligation. Where a provision is measured using the cash flows estimated to settle the present obligation, its carrying amount is the present value of those cash flows (discounted at the Company's weighted average cost of capital when the effect of the time value of money is material).

 

When some or all of the economic benefits required to settle a provision are expected to be recovered from a third party, a receivable is recognised as an asset only if it is virtually certain that reimbursement will be received, and the amount of the receivable can be measured reliably.

 

2.11 Operating segments

 

IFRS 8 Operating segments requires particular classes of entities (essentially those with publicly traded securities) to disclose information about their operating segments, products and services, the geographical areas in which they operate, and their major customers. Information is based on the Group's internal management reports, both in the identification of operating segments and measurement of disclosed segment information.

The Group's products and the markets to which they are offered are so similar in nature that they are reported as one class of business. All customers are currently UK-based only. As a result, the chief operating decision maker uses only one segment to control resources and assess the performance of the entity, while deciding the strategic direction of the Group.

However, in accordance with IFRS 8, the Group will continue to monitor its activities to ensure any further reportable segments are identified and the appropriate reporting and disclosures are made.

 

2.12 Earnings per share

 

In accordance with IAS 33, the Group will present on the face of the statement of comprehensive income basic and diluted EPS for:

-    Profit or loss from continuing operations attributable to the ordinary equity holders of the Company; and

-    Profit or loss attributable to the ordinary equity holders of the Company for the period for each class of ordinary shares that has a different right to share in profit for the period.

Basic EPS is calculated by dividing profit or loss attributable to ordinary equity holders of the Company by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period.

 

Diluted EPS is calculated by adjusting the earnings and number of shares for the effects of dilutive options and other dilutive potential ordinary shares.

 

2.13 Merger relief

 

Merger relief is relief granted under the Companies Act 2006 section 612 which removes the requirement for the Company to recognise the premium on issued shares to acquire another company within the share premium account. Merger relief is recognised where all the following criteriaare satisfied:

 

§ The Company secures at least a 90% equity holding of all share classes in another company as part of the arrangement; and

§ The Company provides either of the following as consideration for the allotment of shares in the acquired company:

Issue or transfer of equity shares in the Company in exchange for equity shares in the acquired company; or

The cancellation of any such shares in the acquired company that the Company does not already hold.

2.14 Merger accounting

 

Business combination and merger accounting

Where there is a change in control and ownership of the Group but represented a combination of businesses under common control, this is deemed outside the scope of IFRS 3 Business Combinations, and the Group must consider other applicable accounting standards.

 

FRS 102 provides accounting guidance for transactions of this nature and provides prescriptive guidance in the form of Merger Accounting and in particular using the book value accounting method in order to prepare the consolidated financial statement for the Group.

 

The principles of merger accounting are as follows:

§ Assets and liabilities of the acquired entity are stated at predecessor carrying values. Fair value measurement is not required;

§ No new goodwill arises in merger accounting; and

§ Any difference between the consideration given and the aggregate book value of the assets and liabilities of the acquired entity at the date of transaction is included in equity in retained earnings or in a separate "Merger Reserve" account.

By way of using the merger accounting methodology for preparing these consolidated financial statements, comparative information will be prepared as if the Group had existed and been formed in prior periods. The Directors agree this will enable informative comparatives to users given the underlying activities and management structure of the Group remain largely unchanged following the formation of the Group.

 

Merger reserve

Where merger accounting has been applied this prescribes that any difference between the consideration given and the aggregate book value of the assets and liabilities of the acquired entity at the date of transaction is included in equity in retained earnings or in a separate reserve account. Therefore, on consolidation of the Group financial statements, the difference between the consideration paid and the book value of the acquired entity is recognised as a Merger Reserve, in accordance with relevant accounting standards relating to businesses under common control.

 

2.15 Own Shares

 

Own equity instruments of the Group which are acquired by it or by any of its subsidiaries (treasury shares) are deducted from equity. Consideration paid or received on the purchase, sale, issue, or cancellation of the Group's own equity instruments is recognised directly in equity. No gain or loss is recognised in profit or loss on the purchase, sale, issue, or cancellation of own equity instruments.

 

3. Critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty

 

The preparation of financial information in accordance with IFRS requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and reported amounts of assets and liabilities, income and expenses.

 

The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis of making the judgements about carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

 

The key assumptions concerning the future, and other key sources of estimation uncertainty at the reporting period, that may have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year, are discussed below:

 

i.      Expected credit losses loan impairment

The Group applies a number of assumptions and estimations within its impairment loss model to calculate the expected credit losses of its loan portfolio. Although these assumptions and estimates are validated against historical performance where possible, the Group is acutely aware that IFRS 9 is a forward-looking process which should not be driven solely by past performance. Consequently, the Group is required to make informed decisions in regards to expected credit losses and impairment allowances over the foreseeable future.

 

Although there are many factors which impact the Group's impairment modelling, the following areas are deemed to have a material impact on the financial statements:

 

COVID-19

 

At 31 December 2021, the Group maintained an overlay to its PD modelling to reflect residual uncertainty due to COVID-19 as it can be reasonably expected that further disruption to dealers and their supply chains could be expected over the foreseeable future. Further, the Group has observed dealers becoming higher leveraged due to the impact of COVID-19, which may take some time to reduce to previous levels. This increase in debt leverage may leave dealers vulnerable to expected increases in interest rates to counter inflationary pressure in 2022, which may increase the level of defaults observed by the Group.

 

An overlay has not been applied to the Group's LGD modelling as during COVID-19, the Group has observed increased asset prices due to limited supply and high demand for its funded assets. 

 

Definition of default

 

The Group aligns its definition of default to the regulatory definition for default in all periods presented. The Group applies the regulatory guideline of 90+ days in arrears and also uses internal and external information, along with financial and non-financial information, available to the Group to determine whether a default event has either occurred or is perceived to have occurred.

 

Should a default event occur the Group applies a probationary ("cooling off") period to Stage 3 counterparties before being transferred back to either stage 1 or 2. The probationary period is typically 3 months but is extended up to 12 months for more severe scenarios. During the probationary period the counterparty must no longer meet the criteria for Stage 3 inclusion for the entire applicable period.

 

Probability of default (PD)

 

The majority of the Group's loan portfolio has an expected behavioural term of less than 12 months. As such, there is not a material difference between the 12-month PD for Stage 1 exposures and the lifetime PD for Stage 2 exposures. The Group's impairment model uses both external Delphi credit ratings and internal credit risk ratings to assess the PD of each counterparty at the reporting date.

 

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK in H1 2020 the Group observed record high defaults and applied an overlay to its PD assumptions to reflect the likely increase in stage 1 and 2 PDs.  The level of defaults improved during H2 2020 and during 2021 the Group has seen historically low default events.  When assessing PD modelling, the Group utilises both historical default data and managerial judgement to formulate its forward-looking PD modelling.  Although recent default and arrears performance may suggest an improved economic outlook, the Group remains cautious to its PD modelling as COVID-19 government support measures unwind and counter inflationary measures are likely to be expected during 2022 which may drive an increase in default activity. Resultantly, the Group continues to use external PD information for its PD modelling and although having partially released the Covid-overlay applied during 2020 given the improvement in economic conditions for the UK economy and the Group's customer base, continues to apply a COVID-19 overlay to its PD modelling to reflect managerial expectation that current strong default performance will not likely continue for the foreseeable future.

 

A 100% deterioration in PDs (excluding Stage 3 exposures, which are already in default) would result in an additional impairment charge of £881,000 (2020: £540,000).

 

Loss given default (LGD)

 

As a collateralised lender, the Group's expected credit losses impairment can be materially impacted by its LGD modelling and the assumptions used by the Group to calculate appropriate collateral haircuts in a default scenario. The Group continually monitors historic LGD performance on defaulted cases, which is fed back into its LGD modelling to improve the LGD modelling output.

 

The Group's LGD modelling identifies key drivers of loss for the Group based on individual asset, borrower and loan receivable identifiers. A key driver of loss occurs when a customer sells a funded asset without repaying the Group in full - this is commonly referred to as "Sold Out of Trust". In such scenarios, the Group has analysed its historical default data where assets have been sold out of trust to assess the likely recovery in such events. The Group also applies probabilities of such events occurring in the future to calculate a probability-weighted LGD. The Group conducts similar exercises for all key drivers of LGD. Due to limited historical loss data, the Group supplements the formulation of LGD haircuts with managerial quantitative assessments as required.  

 

For the year ended 31 December 2021, the Group has not applied a COVID-19 overlay to its LGD modelling given there is heightened demand, in addition to limited supply, for its funded assets. In certain sectors, such as leisure goods and motor vehicles, the Group has observed rising asset prices from the point of funding which materially improves its LGD position. The Group anticipates these to be short-term market forces so has remained cautious in its LGD modelling.

 

A 10% reduction in the expected discounted cashflows from the collateral held by the Group would result in an additional impairment charge of £618,000 (2020: £400,000).

 

Multiple economic scenarios

 

The Group considers four economic scenarios within its impairment modelling whereby the Group stresses PD and LGD inputs in accordance with expected macro-economic and managerial outlooks. This provides an ECL impairment allowance for each scenario which is multiplied by the likelihood of occurrence over the next 12-month period from the reporting date to give a probability weighted ECL.

 

When formulating the multiple economic scenarios, the Group considers both macro-economic factors and other specific drivers which may trigger a certain stress scenario. After which, the Group applies managerial judgment supported by external research to assess the impact these factors will have upon PD, LGD and the likeliness of these events occurring over the following 12-month period.

 

During the year ended 31 December 2021, the Group has observed historically low default and arrears activity, which has driven a lower modelled PD from the prior year. This improvement has migrated the Group's baseline close to the 'Improved' PD scenario as presented in 30 June 2021 interim (unaudited) results.  Consequently, the Group has amended the 'Improved' PD scenario. The Group has also decreased the probability of the 'Improved' scenario occurring over the next 12-month period as well as increasing the probability of the 'Baseline' scenario accordingly. See below for the updated economic stress scenarios:

 

Probability Weighting

ECL Impairment

ECL Coverage1

Scenario

%

£'000

%

Severe

5%

                  4,868

1.94%

Poor

20%

                  2,753

1.10%

Baseline

60%

                  1,315

0.52%

Improved

15%

                     898

0.36%

 

1 ECL Coverage is calculated by dividing the ECL impairment by the Exposure at Default (EAD). EAD is typically higher than the gross loan receivable balance.

 

In the event one of the above scenarios occurred and applied a 100% probability weighting, the impact on the impairment allowances would be as follows:

 

 

31 December 2021

31 December 2020

Scenario

£'000

£'000

Severe

               3,150

                                             1,091

Poor

               1,035

                                                391

Baseline

                 (403)

                                               (157)

Improved

                 (820)

                                               (414)

 

4. Interest and similar income

 

2021

2020

 

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

On loans and advances to customers

13,296

11,206

On loans and advances to banks

5

17

On employee loan agreements

-

10

On debt securities - measured at FVOCI*

 (42)

-

Total interest and similar income

13,259

11,233

 

 

 

 

         

*In the year ended 31 December 2020, £4,800 of interest income relating to debt securities measured at FVTOCI was recorded in fair value movements on debt securities in other comprehensive income.

 

5. Operating segments

 

It is the Director's view that the Group's products and the markets to which they are offered are so similar in nature that they are reported as one class of business. All customers are currently UK-based only. As a result, it is considered that the chief operating decision maker uses only one segment to control resources and assess the performance of the entity, while deciding the strategic direction of the Group.

 

 

 

 

 

6.  Interest and similar expenses

 

In the year ended 31 December 2021, the Group was solely funded by customer deposits and Group reserves.  The Group settled in full its financial liabilities held by TruFin Holdings Limited and wholesale funders before the end of 2020. See note 28 and 29 for further detail of the movements in customer deposits and financial liabilities during the year.

 

 

2021

2020

 

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

Customer deposits

2,338

279

Interest paid to related parties

-

913

Wholesale funding interest

-

7,982

Total interest and similar expense

2,338

9,174

 

 

7.  Fee income

 

2021

2020

 

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

Facility-related fees

466

168

Total fee income

466

168

 

8.  Staff costs

 

Analysis of staff costs:

 

2021

2020

 

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

Wages and salaries

7,372

           7,959

Share based payments

362

              322

Contractor costs

24

                 75

Social security costs

921

           1,054

Pension costs arising on defined contribution schemes

442

              395

Total staff costs

9,121

           9,805

 

Contractor costs are recognised within personnel costs where the work performed would otherwise have been performed by employees. Contractor costs arising from the performance of other services is included within other operating expenses.

 

Average number of persons employed by the Group (including Directors):

 

2021

2020

 

No.

No.

 

 

 

Management

11

12

Finance

7

7

Risk

17

13

Sales & Marketing

14

15

Operations

30

30

Technology

11

11

Total average headcount

90

88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Directors' emoluments:

 

 

Fees/basic salary

Bonuses

Employer pension contributions

Benefits in kind

Long term incentive schemes

2021 total

2020 total

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Executive Directors:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carl D'Ammassa

           433

 191

                 43

  6

  -

 673

  775

Gavin Morris

           248

 91

                 24

   7

  -

 370

 275

Henry Kenner1

                 -

 -

                    -

   -

  -

 -

  210

 

           681

 282

                 67

   13

   -

 1,043

  1,260

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-executive Directors:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mark Stephens

           150

  -

                    -

   -

  -

  150

 150

Carole Machell

           100

  -

                    -

  -

  -

 100

  100

Thomas Grathwohl

           100

 -

                    -

  -

  -

 100

 100

Stephen Greene2

               -  

  -

                    -

  -

  -

  -

-

Haakon Stenrød2

               -  

 -

                    -

  -

  -

  -

 -

John Baines3

           133

 -

                    -

  -

  -

   133

  200

James van den Bergh4

               -  

  -

                    -

  -

  -

  -

  61

 

           483

   -

                    -

    -

   -

  483

  611

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Director remuneration

        1,164

  282

                 67

  13

   -

  1,526

  1,871

 

 

1 Henry Kenner resigned on 13 May 2020.

2 Stephen Greene and Haakon Stenrød hold their position as Non-Executive Directors by virtue of major shareholders (Arrowgrass Master Fund Ltd and Watrium AS, respectively) exercising their rights to appoint Directors under their Relationship Agreements.  They are compensated by these respective shareholders. Stephen Greene resigned on 17 December 2021.

3 John Baines resigned on 19 May 2021.

4 James van den Bergh resigned on 13 May 2020.

 

Carl D'Ammassa's fees/basic salary of £433,000 comprises basic salary of £425,000 and pay in lieu of holiday not taken of £8,000. The pension for the year ended 31 December 2021 to Carl D'Ammassa and Gavin Morris of £43,000 and £24,000 respectively is the sum of payments made to these individuals in lieu of Group pension contributions.

 

Carl D'Ammassa and Gavin Morris have received share options as part of long-term incentive schemes of which none of these options have vested as at 31 December 2021. Further details of these share option schemes can be found in note 9.

 

 

 

 

9. Share based payments

The Group has the following share options scheme for employees which have been granted and remain outstanding at 31 December 2021:  

Plan

No. of options outstanding
31 December 2021

Options outstanding value
31 December 2021
£'000

Grant dates

Vesting dates

Exercise price

Performance conditions attached

Settlement method

Charge for year ended 31 December 2021
£'000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General Award 2020

      287,500

      52

Jun-20

Jun-23

Nil

No

Equity

      34

General Award 2021

      216,000

      21

Jun-21

Jun-24

Nil

No

Equity

      22

Manager CSOP Award

      385,298

      21

Aug-20

Jun-21
Jun-22
Jun-23

40.5p

No

Equity

      10

Manager PSP Award

      853,334

   327

Aug-20

Aug-20
Jun-21
Jun-22

Nil

No

Equity

    140

CEO Recruitment Award

      900,000

   187

Jun-20

Jun-23

Nil

Yes

Equity

    133

Senior Manager 2020 Award

      885,000

   57

Jun-20

Jun-23

Nil

Yes

Equity

    4

Senior Manager 2021 Award

      114,370

      19

Jun-21

Sep-22
Jun-24

Nil

No

Equity

      19

TOTAL

  3,641,502

   684

 

 

 

 

 

    362

 

All awards are equity-settled, and the shares awarded for all schemes are Distribution Finance Capital Holdings plc over ordinary shares of £0.01 each of the current share capital of the Company which are listed on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM). The awards were granted to employees and Directors within the Group with the majority of the employees being employed by DF Capital Bank Limited.

 

 

 

 

During the year ended 31 December 2021, the movements in share options granted, forfeited, and exercised were as follows:

 

Options outstanding at start of year

Options granted during the year

Options forfeited during the year

Options exercised during the year

Options outstanding at end of the year

Plan

No.

No.

No.

No.

No.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year ended 31 December 2021

 

 

 

 

 

General Award 2020

                    320,000

                              -

32,500

               -

        287,500

General Award 2021

                                -

                  240,000

24,000

               -

        216,000

Manager CSOP Award

                    385,298

                              -

                  -

               -

        385,298

Manager PSP Award

                    853,334

                              -

                  -

               -

        853,334

CEO Recruitment Award

                    900,000

                              -

                  -

               -

        900,000

Senior Manager 2020 Award

                    985,000

                              -

 100,000

               -

        885,000

Senior Manager 2021 Award

                                -

                  114,370

                  -

               -

        114,370

Total

                 3,443,632

                  354,370

156,500

               -

     3,641,502

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year ended 31 December 2020

 

 

 

 

 

General Award 2020

               -

355,000

35,000

               -

        320,000

Manager CSOP Award

               -

385,298

                  -

               -

        385,298

Manager PSP Award

               -

853,334

                  -

               -

        853,334

CEO Recruitment Award

               -

900,000

                  -

               -

        900,000

Senior Manager 2020 Award

               -

985,000

                  -

               -

        985,000

Total

               -

                3,478,632

  35,000

               -

     3,443,632

 

Based on the fair value of the options at their respective grant date, taking into consideration any restrictive vesting criteria, including performance conditions, the estimated weighted average fair value at the grant date for the different schemes is as follows:

 

 

2021

2020

Plan

pence

pence

 

 

 

General Award 2020

37.50

37.50

General Award 2021

61.00

-

Manager CSOP Award

8.00

8.00

Manager PSP Award

40.50

40.50

CEO Recruitment Award

37.50

37.50

Senior Manager 2020 Award

37.50

37.50

Senior Manager 2021 Award

61.00

-

Average weighted fair value at grant date

37.38

34.97

 

The terms of the individual schemes are as follows:

 

General Award

In the year ended 31 December 2021, nil cost options over ordinary shares of £0.01 each of the current share capital of the Company were granted to all employees (excluding Directors). These options vest over a 3-year period and are not subject to specific performance conditions.

 

Recruitment Award

On his appointment on 9 March 2020, Carl D'Ammassa was granted 900,000 nil cost options by way of a Recruitment Award.  This award, granted utilising unallocated shares held in the Employee Benefit Trust, was made with a number of performance conditions in place. Having assessed the performance of the CEO through 2021, the Committee agreed that the final performance conditions relating to 400,000 shares have been satisfied in full and the entire share award shall vest in June 2023, subject to Carl's on-going employment with the Group.

 

 

 

Senior Manager Award

Nil cost options over ordinary shares of £0.01 each of the current share capital of the Company were granted to certain senior managers.  All of these share awards have been granted in line with our PSP rules and have performance conditions aligned to financial performance, risk management and cultural objectives.

 

In the year ended 31 December 2021, Senior Managers who recently joined the Group or were promoted were granted nil-cost share options. These have no performance conditions and vest over a period of 1 to 3 years.

 

Manager PSP and CSOP Award

 

In the year ended 31 December 2020, the Group executed a reorganisation of its existing share capital and employee loan agreements whereby managers and former managers were awarded share options so that they were not disadvantaged by this exercise. PSP scheme nil cost options and Company Share Option Scheme shares ("CSOP") were issued over ordinary shares of £0.01 each of the share capital of the Company. The CSOP Options have an exercise price per share of 40.5p equal to the market value of Ordinary Shares as at the time of grant and the PSP Options are nil cost options. The PSP and CSOP Options will become exercisable on the same timeline, and in the same proportions, that the corresponding original Ordinary Shares would have become freely transferable on the terms on which they were held. The Options are not subject to the satisfaction of performance conditions. The fair value of the CSOP was measured at the grant date using the Black-Scholes model.

 

No further awards under this scheme were granted in the year ended 31 December 2021.

 

One Director, Gavin Morris, holds 19,733 PSP nil cost options and 74,074 CSOP Options.

 

10.  Other operating expenses

 

 

2021

2020

 

Note

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

 

Finance costs

11

                19

                17

Depreciation

16,17

              259

              290

Amortisation of intangible assets

18

              314

              237

Loss on disposal of fixed assets

16

                   3

                   3

Loss on disposal of intangible assets

18

                    -

                57

Professional services expenses

 

           1,858

           2,009

IT-related expenses

 

           1,688

           1,379

Other operating expenses

 

           1,245

           1,190

Total other operating expenses

 

           5,386

           5,182

 

11.  Finance costs

 

2021

2020

 

£'000

£'000

Interest on lease liabilities

                19

                17

Total finance costs

                19

                17

 

  

 

 

12.  Provisions

 

Analysis for movements in other provisions:

 

Leasehold dilapidations

Onerous supplier contracts

Social security payments

Severance payments

Total

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year ended 31 December 2021

 

 

 

 

 

At start of year

                    58

            25

                  -

                  -

              83

Additions

                    70

          -

                  -

                  -

            70

Utilisation of provision

                   (29)

        (16)

                  -

                  -

  (45)

Unused amounts reversed

                   (29)

            (9)

                  -

                  -

   (38)

Unwinding of discount

                      3

               -

                  -

                  -

                3

At end of year

                    73

               -

                  -

                  -

              73

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year ended 31 December 2020

 

 

 

 

 

At start of year

                    91

               -

             105

             337

            533

Additions

                       -

            25

                  -

                 1

              26

Utilisation of provision

                   (26)

               -

                  -

  (338)

  (364)

Unused amounts reversed

                     (7)

               -

  (105)

                  -

  (112)

At end of year

                    58

            25

                  -

                  -

              83

 

Leasehold dilapidations

During the year ended 31 December 2021, the Group exited its former headquarters at 196 Deansgate, Manchester whereby it utilised £29,000 of the provision on dilapidation costs and released the remaining £29,000 of the £58,000 provision held at 1 January 2021.

 

The Group entered into two new lease agreements for offices during the year ended 31 December 2021, including its new headquarters office, for which it recognised £70,000 for discounted expected restoration costs payable at the end of the lease. This has been included as part of the initial costs on the right-of-use asset - see note 17 for further details.

 

Onerous supplier contracts

At 31 December 2020 the Group was in the process of cancelling an unused supplier contract and recognised £25,000 for expected residual cost. In the year ended 31 December 2021, the Group has settled this obligation with the supplier at £16,000 and released £9,000 as unused provision.

 

13. Net impairment loss on financial assets

 

2021

2020

 

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

Movement of impairment allowance in the year

           384

         (107)

Write-offs

           173

       1,403

Write-back of amounts written-off

              (1)

              (2)

Total net impairment losses on financial assets

           556

       1,294

 

See note 19 on further analysis of the movement in impairment allowances on loans and advances to customers.

 

Analysis of write-offs:

 

 

2021

2020

 

Note

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

 

Realised losses on loan receivables

19

             98

           1,206

Realised losses on trade receivables

21

             54

                   6

Realised losses on other receivables

 

                -

                20

Recovery transaction costs

 

             39

              200

Bad debt VAT relief

 

           (18)

               (29)

Total write-offs

 

           173

           1,403

 

14.  Loss before taxation

 

Loss before taxation is stated after charging:

 

2021

2020

 

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

105

                   132

Depreciation of right-of-use assets

154

                   158

Amortisation of intangible assets

314

                   237

Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment

3

                        3

Loss on disposal of intangible assets

-

                     58

Allowance for credit impaired assets

384

                 (107)

Staff costs

9,121

                9,805

Auditor's remuneration

253

                   316

 

10,334

             10,602

 

Analysis of auditor's remuneration:

 

2021

2020

 

£'000

£'000

Audit services

 

 

Fees payable to the Company's auditor for the audit of the Company's annual accounts

50

46

Fees payable to the Company's auditor for the audit of its subsidiaries

153

139

Fees paid to the Company's auditors relating to prior periods

-

83

Total audit services fees

203

268

 

 

 

Assurance services

 

 

Interim review

50

48

Total assurance services fees

50

48

 

 

 

Total auditor's remuneration

253

316

 

 

15.  Taxation

 

Analysis of tax charge recognised in the period:

 

2021

2020

 

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

Current tax charge/(credit)

                            -

                        -

Deferred tax charge/(credit)

                            -

                        -

SME R&D tax relief

(59)

-

Total tax charge/(credit)

                            (59)

                        -

 

  

 

Reconciliation of loss before tax to total tax credit recognised:

2021

2020

 

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

Loss before taxation

 (3,735)

 (13,625)

 

 

 

Loss before tax multiplied by the standard

 

 

rate of corporation tax in the UK of 19% (2020:19%)

 (710)

 (2,589)

 

 

 

Adjustments:

 

 

Disallowable expenses

                      50

                   57

Other short-term timing differences

for which no deferred tax asset has been recognised

 50

 38

Current year losses for which no deferred

tax asset has been recognised

                    610

2,494

Total tax credit

                         -

                     -

 

Current tax on profits reflects UK corporation tax levied at a rate of 19% for the year ended 31 December 2021 (31 December 2020: 19%) and the banking surcharge levied at a rate of 8% on the profits of banking companies chargeable to corporation tax after an allowance of £25 million per annum.

 

Expenses that are not deductible in determining taxable profits/losses include impairment losses, amortisation of intangible assets, depreciation of fixed assets, client and staff entertainment costs, and professional fees which are capital in nature.

 

On 24 May 2021, the Government substantively enacted legislation to increase the corporation tax rate from 19% to 25% from 1 April 2023. In November 2021, the government announced that the bank surcharge would reduce from 8% to 3% from 1 April 2023, together with an increase in the surcharge annual allowance from £25m to £100m. These changes were not substantively enacted into legislation at the reporting date and so have not been reflected in these financial statements. The Group has assessed the impact of these changes and concluded that they will not have an impact on the Group's deferred tax balances when recognised.

 

A deferred tax asset is only recognised to the extent the Group finds it probable that future taxable profits will be available against which to be utilised against prior taxable losses. Deferred tax assets are reviewed at each reporting date and are reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that the related tax benefit will be realised. The Group has not recognised a deferred tax asset in the period given the uncertainty in relation to generating future taxable profits which can be offset against unused taxable losses. As at 31 December 2021, the Group has estimated £7.3 million (31 December 2020: £7.05 million) of unused tax credits for which a deferred tax asset has not been recognised against.

 

 

 

16.  Property, plant and equipment

 

Leasehold Improvements

Furniture, Fixtures & Fittings

Computer Hardware

Telephony & Communications

Total

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost

 

 

 

 

 

As at 1 January 2020

                      26

           137

           229

                            6

       398

Additions

                         -

                 -

             32

                             -

         32

Disposals

                         -

                 -

            (14)

                             -

       (14)

As at 31 December 2020

                      26

           137

           247

                            6

       416

Additions

                      10

             24

             34

                             -

         68

Disposals

                       (3)

              (9)

              (5)

                             -

       (17)

As at 31 December 2021

                      33

           152

           276

                            6

       467

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated depreciation

 

 

 

 

 

As at 1 January 2020

                      11

             56

             84

                            5

       156

Charge for the year

                        9

             43

             79

                            1

       132

Eliminated on disposals

                         -

                 -

            (11)

                             -

       (11)

As at 31 December 2020

                      20

             99

           152

                            6

       277

Charge for the year

                        6

             34

             65

                             -

       105

Eliminated on disposals

                       (2)

              (9)

              (3)

                             -

       (14)

As at 31 December 2021

                      24

           124

           214

                            6

       368

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carrying amount

 

 

 

 

 

At 31 December 2020

                        6

             38

             95

                             -

       139

At 31 December 2021

                        9

             28

             64

                             -

         99

 

17.  Right-of-use assets

 

Buildings

 

£'000

 

 

Cost

 

As at 1 January 2020

              823

Additions

                    -

Disposals

                    -

Lease modifications

            (416)

As at 31 December 2020

              407

Additions

              789

Disposals

                    -

Lease modifications

 (58)

As at 31 December 2021

           1,138

 

 

Accumulated depreciation

 

At 1 January 2020

              185

Charge for the year

              158

Eliminated on disposals

                    -

At 31 December 2020

              343

Charge for the year

              154

Eliminated on disposals

                    -

At 31 December 2021

              497

 

 

Carrying Amount

 

At 31 December 2020

                64

At 31 December 2021

              641

 

During the year ended 31 December 2021 the Group is engaged in leasing agreements for office premises and IT equipment. IT equipment leases fall below the USD 5,000 IFRS 16 threshold and, resultantly, the Group have opted not to classify these leases as right-of-use assets.

 

During the year ended 31 December 2021, the Group signed two new office premise leases in Manchester and London. The Manchester office at St James' Building, 61-95 Oxford Street, Manchester, M1 6EJ being the new headquarters of the Group. At initial recognition of the two leases, the Group recognised additions to the right-of-use asset of £786,000 (excluding £3,000 of discount unwinding during the year). When assessing the future lease payments of each lease, the Group has used the most likely termination date of the lease either up to the contractual break date or contractual term end date. The Group has estimated the restoration costs to return the premises to an as found condition at the end of the agreements and have added this into the right-of-use initial recognition amount. The corresponding amount of which is added into provisions - see note 12 for further details. Any directly attributable costs for acquiring the right-of-use assets have been added to the right-of-use asset.

 

A lease modification of £29,000 was made due to a rent-free period being granted on a prior existing lease which lapsed during 2021. A further modification of £29,000 was made for unused restoration costs for exited offices during the year - see note 12.

 

The maturity analysis of lease liabilities is presented in note 27.

 

Amounts recognised in the income statement:

 

2021

2020

 

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

Depreciation expense on right-of-use assets

154

              158

Interest expense on lease liabilities

19

                17

Expense relating to short-term leases

-

                    -

Expense relating to leases of low value assets

6

                   5

Expenses relating to variable lease payments

not included in measurement of lease liability

92

55

Total amounts recognised in the income statement

271

              235

 

Some of the property leases in which the Group is the lessee contain variable lease payment terms relating to service charges and insurance costs which are included within the contractual terms of the lease agreement. The breakdown of the lease payments for these property leases are as follows:

                                                                                                                                                                         

 

2021

2020

 

£'000

£'000

Buildings:

 

 

Fixed payments

147

              164

Variable payments

73 

                54

Total lease payments

220

              218

 

  

 

 

18. Intangible assets

 

Computer Software

 

£'000

 

 

Cost

 

At 1 January 2020

                 1,066

Additions from internal development

                    226

Additions from separate acquisitions

                          -

Disposals

                  (103)

At 31 December 2020

                 1,189

Additions from internal development

                    280

Additions from separate acquisitions

                    306

Disposals

                          -

At 31 December 2021

                 1,775

 

 

Accumulated amortisation

 

At 1 January 2020

                    204

Charge for the year

                    237

Eliminated on disposals

                     (46)

At 31 December 2020

                    395

Charge for the year

                    314

Eliminated on disposals

                          -

At 31 December 2021

                    709

 

 

Carrying amount

 

At 31 December 2020

                    794

At 31 December 2021

                 1,066

 

In the year ended 31 December 2021, the Group capitalised £152,000 (2020: £130,000) of consultancy costs, £35,000 of third-party purchased software (2020: £nil) and £93,000 (2020: £95,500) of employee costs in relation to the development of software platforms aimed at improving the commercial lending processes, customer journey for commercial clients and development of retail customer deposits platform. The amortisation period for these software costs is within a range of 3-5 years following an individual assessment of the asset's expected life. The Group performed an impairment review at 31 December 2021 and concluded an impairment of £nil (2020: £57,000).

 

19. Loans and advances to customers

 

2021

2020

 

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

Gross carrying amount

           249,454

               113,259

Less: impairment allowance

              (1,718)

                  (1,288)

Less: effective interest rate adjustment

                  (531)

                      (634)

Total loans and advances to customers

           247,205

               111,337

 

Refer to note 31 for details on the expected maturity analysis of the gross loans receivable balance.

Refer to note 13 and 31 for further details on the impairment losses recognised in the periods.

 

 

 

 

Ageing analysis of gross loan receivables:

 

2021

2020

 

£'000

£'000

Unimpaired:

 

 

Not yet past due

           247,974

               112,510

Past due: 1 - 30 days

                105

                          21

Past due: 31 - 60 days

                     834

5

Past due: 61 - 90 days

                        -

                          14

Past due: 90+ days

                        -

                             -

Total unimpaired

           248,913

               112,550

 

 

 

Impaired:

 

 

Impaired, not yet past due and past due 1 - 90 days

                   377

                       578

Impaired, past due 90+ days

                   164

                       131

Total impaired

                   541

                       709

 

 

 

Total gross loan receivables

           249,454

               113,259

 

 

Analysis of gross loans and advances to customers:

 

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

Total

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

As at 1 January 2021

103,823

8,726

710

113,259

 

 

 

 

 

Transfer to Stage 1

2,038

 (2,038)

-

-

Transfer to Stage 2

 (19,388)

19,388

-

-

Transfer to Stage 3

 (134)

 (569)

703

-

Net lending/(repayment)

152,993

 (15,922)

 (778)

136,293

Write-offs

 (5)

-

 (93)

 (98)

 

135,504

859

 (168)

136,195

As at 31 December 2021

239,327

9,585

542

249,454

 

 

 

 

 

Loss allowance coverage at 31 December 2021

0.48%

1.62%

77.68%

0.69%

 

 

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

Total

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

As at 1 January 2020

201,993

4,585

2,871

209,449

 

 

 

 

 

Transfer to Stage 1

3,639

 (2,597)

 (1,042)

-

Transfer to Stage 2

(36,584)

38,725

 (2,141)

-

Transfer to Stage 3

 (3,152)

 (2,418)

5,570

-

Net lending/(repayment)

(62,048)

 (29,569)

 (3,367)

 (94,984)

Write-offs

 (25)

-

 (1,181)

 (1,206)

 

(98,170)

4,141

 (2,161)

 (96,190)

As at 31 December 2020

103,823

8,726

710

113,259

 

 

 

 

 

Loss allowance coverage at 31 December 2020

0.62%

0.56%

83.66%

1.14%

 

 

 

Analysis of impairment losses on loans and advances to customers:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

Total

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

 

 

As at 1 January 2021

645

49

594

1,288

 

 

 

 

 

Transfer to Stage 1

20

(20)

-

-

Transfer to Stage 2

(139)

139

-

-

Transfer to Stage 3

-

(1)

1

-

Remeasurement of impairment allowance

(13)

93

77

157

Net lending/(repayment)

629

(105)

(175)

349

Write-offs

-

-

(76)

(76)

Total movement in loss allowance

497

106

(173)

430

 

 

 

 

 

As at 31 December 2021

1,142

155

421

1,718

 

 

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

Total

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

 

 

As at 1 January 2020

340

41

1,028

1,409

 

 

 

 

 

Transfer to Stage 1

309

 (57)

 (252)

-

Transfer to Stage 2

 (80)

89

 (9)

-

Transfer to Stage 3

 (97)

 (16)

113

-

Remeasurement of impairment allowance

408

247

884

1,539

Net lending/(repayment)

 (224)

 (255)

 (6)

 (485)

Write-offs

 (11)

-

 (1,164)

(1,175)

Total movement in loss allowance

305

8

 (434)

 (121)

 

 

 

 

 

As at 31 December 2020

645

49

594

1,288

 

20.  Debt securities

 

2021

2020

 

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

FVOCI debt securities:

 

 

Treasury bills

       53,085

        49,011

UK government gilts

       55,782

        17,590

Total FVOCI debt securities

     108,867

        66,601

 

 

 

Analysis of movements during the year:

 

At 1 January

       66,601

           7,994

Purchased debt securities

     350,980

      120,721

Proceeds from sold or maturing securities

   (308,504)

       (62,107)

Interest income

              (42)

                    -

Realised gains/losses

                (3)

                15

Unrealised losses

           (165)

               (22)

At 31 December

     108,867

        66,601

 

 

 

Maturity profile of debt securities:

 

 

Within 12 months

       24,602

        49,011

Over 12 months

       84,265

        17,590

 

The securities are valued at fair value through other comprehensive income ("FVTOCI") using closing bid prices at the reporting date.

 

In accordance with IFRS 9, all debt securities were assessed for impairment and treated as Stage 1 assets in both reporting periods.

 

Refer to note 31 for details of the maturity profile of these securities.

 

21.  Trade and other receivables

 

2021

2020

 

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

Trade receivables

                 355

               261

Impairment allowance

                  (75)

              (121)

 

                 280

               140

 

 

 

Other debtors

                 278

               207

Taxation asset

59

                    -

Accrued income

                 192

                 63

Prepayments

                 324

               744

 

                 853

            1,014

Total trade and other receivables

              1,133

            1,154

 

All trade receivables are due within one year, refer to note 31 for the expected maturity profile.

 

The trade receivable balances are assessed for expected credit losses (ECL) under the 'simplified approach', which requires the Group to assess all balances for lifetime ECLs and is not required to assess significant increases in credit risk.

 

Ageing analysis of trade receivables:

 

2021

2020

 

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

Unimpaired:

 

 

Not yet past due

                   276

                 106

Past due: 1 - 30 days

                       7

                   15

Past due: 31 - 60 days

                       1

                   11

Past due: 61 - 90 days

                        -

                   13

Past due: 90+ days

                        -

                       -

 

                   284

                 145

Impaired:

 

 

Impaired, not yet past due and past due 1 - 90 days

                     10

                   45

Impaired, past due 90+ days

                     61

                   71

 

                     71

                 116

Total gross trade receivables

                   355

                 261

 

Analysis of movement of impairment losses on trade receivables:

 

2021

2020

 

£'000

£'000

Balance at 1 January

121

                 107

 

 

 

Amounts written off

 (26)

                    (6)

Amounts recovered

-

                       -

Change in loss allowance due to new trade and other receivables originated net of those derecognised due to settlement

 (20)

                   20

Balance at 31 December

75

                 121

 

 

 

 

22.  Notes to the cash flow statement

 

Cash and cash equivalents:

 

2021

2020

 

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

Cash held at bank

        29,597

        21,233

Total cash and cash equivalents

        29,597

        21,233

 

Adjustments for non-cash items and other adjustments included in the income statement:

 

 

 

2021

2020

 

Note

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

 

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

16

                  105

                132

Depreciation of right-of-use assets

17

                  154

                158

Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment

16

                      3

                    3

Amortisation of intangible assets

18

                  314

                237

Loss on disposal of intangible assets

18

                      -

                  57

Share based payments

9

                  362

                322

Impairment allowances on receivables

13

                  556

             1,294

Movement in other provisions

12

                  (10)

              (450)

Interest income on debt securities

20

                    42

                (15)

Finance costs

11

                    19

17

Unwind of discount

12

                      3

-

Lease modifications

 

                      -

                  76

Interest in suspense

 

                (102)

                228

Total non-cash items and other adjustments

 

               1,446

             2,059

 

Net change in operating assets:

 

2021

2020

 

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

(Increase)/decrease in loans and advances to customers

(136,202)

           94,321

(Increase)/decrease in other assets

 (42)

             2,443

(Increase)/decrease in operating assets

(136,244)

           96,764

 

 

Net change in operating liabilities:

 

 

2021

2020

 

 

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

 

Increase in customer deposits

 

150,874

         145,982

Increase/(decrease) in other liabilities

 

837

           (1,332)

Increase in financial liabilities

 

-

           12,283

Repayment of financial liabilities

 

-

       (176,006)

Increase/(decrease) in operating liabilities

 

151,711

         (19,073)

 

 

  

 

Changes in liabilities arising from financing activities:

 

The table below details changes in the Group's liabilities arising from financing activities, including both cash and non-cash changes. Liabilities arising from financing activities are those for which cash flows were, or future cash flows will be, classified in the Group's consolidated cash flow statement as cash flows from financing activities.

 

 

 

 

Non-cash changes

 

 

1 January 2021

Financing cash flows

Recognition of lease liabilities

Interest expense on lease liabilities

Lease modification

31 December 2021

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lease liabilities (see note 27)

57

          (147)

604

                    19

 (29)

        504

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities from financing activities

57

          (147)

604

                    19

 (29)

        504

 

 

 

 

 

Non-cash changes

 

 

1 January 2020

Financing cash flows

Recognition of lease liabilities

Interest expense on lease liabilities

Lease modification

31 December 2020

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lease liabilities (see note 27)

  537

  (164)

     -

     18

   (334)

  57

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities from financing activities

  537

   (164)

      -

      18

    (334)

   57

 

 

 

23.  Investment in subsidiaries

 

Subsidiary

Principal Activity

Shareholding %

Class of shareholding

Country of incorporation

Registered Address

 

 

 

 

 

 

DF Capital Bank Limited

Financial Services

100%

Ordinary

UK

St James' Building, 61-95 Oxford St, Manchester, M1 6EJ

 

 

During the year ended 31 December 2021, there were no changes to the ownership of subsidiaries of the Group (2020: none).

 

24.  Equity

 

2021

2020

2021

2020

 

No.

No.

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

 

 

Authorised:

 

 

 

 

Ordinary shares of 1p each

   179,369,199

   106,641,926

  1,793

  1,066

Allotted, issued and fully paid: Ordinary shares of 1p each

   179,369,199

   106,641,926

  1,793

  1,066

 

  

 

 

Analysis of the movements in equity:

 

Date

No. of shares

Issue Price

Share Capital

Share Premium

Merger Relief

Total

 

 

#

£

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at 1 January and 31 December 2020

106,641,926

 

 1,066

   -

 94,911

 95,977

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issue of new shares

22-Feb-21

72,727,273

 0.55

 727

 39,273

 -  

 40,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at 31 December 2021

179,369,199

 

 1,793

 39,273

 94,911

135,977

 

In February 2021, the Group executed a conditional placing of new ordinary shares with certain new and existing institutional and other investors in respect of 72,727,273 new ordinary shares of one penny each ("Ordinary Shares") in Distribution Finance Capital Holdings plc at a price of 55 pence per placing share. The placing raised £40.0 million of additional capital before expenses and approximately £38.6 million after expenses. The placing was subject to shareholder approval at a general meeting on 22 February 2021 by which all of the Resolutions were duly passed on a poll at the General Meeting. The enlarged share capital is comprised of 179,369,199 ordinary shares with one voting right per share and 50,000 non-voting redeemable preference shares of £1 each.

 

 

25.  Own shares

 

At 31 December 2021 the Group's Employee Benefit Trust held 2,963,283 (2020: 2,963,283) ordinary shares in Distribution Finance Capital Holdings plc to meet obligations under the Company's share and share option plans. The shares are stated at cost and their market value at 31 December 2021 was £1,452,009 (2020: £1,896,501).

 

 

2021

2020

 

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

At 1 January

               (364)

                     -

Employee Benefit Trust

-

               (364)

At 31 December

               (364)

               (364)

 

26.  Merger reserve

 

There were no movements relating to the merger reserve account during years ended 31 December 2021 and 31 December 2020.

 

27.  Lease liabilities

 

2021

2020

 

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

At 1 January

57

              537

Initial recognition

604

                    -

Interest expense

19

                18

Interest payments

 (147)

            (164)

Lease modification

 (29)

            (334)

At 31 December

504

                57

 

During the year ended 31 December 2021, the Group signed two new office premise lease agreements. In the period the Group added £604,000 at initial recognition to the lease liabilities. See note 17 for further details. During the year ended 31 December 2021, the Group made lease repayments of £147,000 and recognised finance costs of £19,000. Furthermore, as disclosed in note 17, the Group recognised a lease modification of £29,000 due to a rent concession granted in the period.

 

The fair value of the Group's lease obligations as at 31 December 2021 is estimated to be £503,816 (2020: £57,056) using a 5% discount rate. The 5% discount rate is equivalent to the Group's incremental borrowing rate which would be incurred for the financing of a similar asset under similar terms as the lease arrangement.

 

The Group does not face a significant liquidity risk with regard to its lease liabilities. Lease liabilities are monitored within the Group's treasury function.

 

All lease obligations are denominated in currency units.

 

The maturity analysis of lease liabilities is as follows:

 

2021

2020

 

£'000

£'000

Analysed as:

 

 

Non-current

109

57

Current

395

-

 

504

57

 

 

 

Maturity Analysis:

 

 

Year 1

131

58

Year 2

161

-

Year 3

184

-

Year 4

79

-

Year 5

-

-

Onwards

-

-

 

555

58

 

 

 

Less: unearned interest

 (51)

 (1)

Total lease liabilities

504

57

 

 

28.  Customer deposits

 

2021

2020

 

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

Retail deposits

                296,856

           145,982

Total customer deposits

                296,856

           145,982

 

 

 

Amounts repayable within one year

                249,930

             60,132

Amounts repayable after one year

                  46,926

             85,850

 

                296,856

           145,982

 

Refer to note 31 for the maturity profile of the customer deposit balances.

 

29.  Financial liabilities

 

2021

2020

 

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

Loans with related parties

                        -

                        -

Wholesale funding

                        -

                        -

Lease liabilities

                   504

                    57

Preference shares

                     50

                    50

Total financial liabilities

                   554

                  107

 

Loans with related parties:

 

During the year ended 31 December 2020, following the granting of the Group's banking licence by the PRA, the Group fully repaid the loan agreement (including accrued interest) to TruFin Holdings Limited in December 2020. For the period ended 31 December 2021, the Group is now solely funded by customer deposits and equity reserves.

Wholesale funding:

 

Following the Group being granted the banking licence, the Group raised sufficient customer deposits to fully repay its wholesale funders in November 2020.

 

Lease liabilities:

 

See note 27 for further details on the lease liabilities of the Group.

 

Preference shares:

 

In April 2019, a sole member decision was granted the allocation of 50,000 non-voting paid up redeemable preference shares of £1.00 each. The preference shares have no attached interest rate, dividends or return on capital. These preference shares are deemed as paid in full with the Director undertaking to pay the consideration of the preference shares by 31 December 2022. The preference shares have no contractual maturity date but will be redeemed in the future out of the proceeds of any issue of new ordinary shares by the Company or when it has available distributable profits. Given these characteristics the preference shares are recognised as a non-current liability with no equity component.

 

The maturity profile of the financial liabilities are as follows:

 

2021

2020

 

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

Current liabilities

                   109

                    57

Non-current liabilities

                   445

                    50

Total financial liabilities

                   554

                  107

 

Reconciliation of movement in financial liabilities:

 

Loans with related parties

Wholesale funding

Preference shares

Lease liabilities

Total

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at 1 January 2020

              13,925

150,151

50

537

164,663

Cash flows arising from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Wholesale funding drawdowns

                         -

12,283

-

-

12,283

Wholesale funding repayments

                         -

 (162,051)

-

-

 (162,051)

Amounts repaid to related parties

            (13,955)

-

-

-

 (13,955)

Interest paid

                  (883)

 (8,365)

-

-

 (9,248)

Repayment of lease liabilities

                         -

-

-

 (164)

 (164)

 

            (14,838)

 (158,133)

-

 (164)

 (173,135)

Non-cash changes:

 

 

 

 

 

Lease modifications

                         -

-

-

 (334)

 (334)

Interest expense

913

7,982

-

18

8,913

 

                   913

7,982

-

 (316)

8,579

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at 31 December 2020

                         -

-

50

57

107

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows arising from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Repayment of lease liabilities

                         -

-

-

 (147)

 (147)

 

                         -

-

-

 (147)

 (147)

Non-cash changes:

 

 

 

 

 

Additions

                         -

-

-

604

604

Lease modifications

                         -

-

-

 (29)

 (29)

Interest expense

                         -

-

-

19

19

 

                         -

-

-

594

594

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at 31 December 2021

                         -

-

50

504

554

 

 

30.  Trade and other payables

 

2021

2020

 

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

Trade payables

282

              624

Social security and other taxes

275

           2,044

Other creditors

2,422

              778

Pension contributions

-

                32

Accruals

2,032

              709

Total current liabilities

5,010

           4,187

 

 

 

Non-current liabilities

 

 

Social security and other taxes

57

                74

Total non-current liabilities

57

                74

 

 

 

Total trade and other payables

5,067

           4,261

 

31.  Financial instruments

 

The Directors have performed an assessment of the risks affecting the Group through its use of financial instruments and believe the principal risks to be: Treasury (covering capital management, liquidity and interest rate risk); and Credit risk.

 

This note describes the Group's objectives, policies and processes for managing the material risks and the methods used to measure them. The significant accounting policies regarding financial instruments are disclosed in note 2.

 

Capital management

 

The Group manages its capital to ensure that it will be able to continue as a going concern while providing an adequate return to shareholders.

 

The capital structure of the Group consists of financial liabilities (see note 29) and equity (comprising issued capital, merger relief, reserves, own shares and retained earnings - see notes 24 to 26).

 

As a regulated banking Group, the Group is required by the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) to hold sufficient regulatory capital. The Group is required by the PRA to conduct an Internal Capital Adequacy Assessment Process ("ICAAP") to assess the appropriate amount of regulatory capital to be held by the Group in regards to its risk weighted assets ("RWAs") and the Group's risk management framework. The ICAAP identifies all key risks to the Bank and how the Group manages these risks. The document outlines the capital resources of the Group, its perceived capital requirements, and capital adequacy over a 3-year period. Within this process the Group conducts a stress testing process to identify key risks, the potential capital requirements and whether the Group has sufficient capital buffers to sustain such events. The Group uses the Standardised Approach for calculating the capital requirements for credit risk and the Basic Indicator Approach for operational risk. The ICAAP is approved by the Group Board at least annually.

  

 

 

The regulatory capital resources of the Group were as follows:

 

2021

2020

 

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

Tier 1 Capital

 

 

Ordinary share capital

         1,793

         1,066

Share premium

       39,273

                 -

Other reserves recognised for CET1 capital

       74,302

       74,302

Own shares

          (364)

          (364)

Retained loss

     (28,946)

     (24,115)

Other

(2,303)

       (2,303)

Intangible assets

       (1,066)

          (794)

Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) capital

       82,690

       47,792

 

 

 

Tier 2 capital

                 -

                 -

 

 

 

Total regulatory capital

       82,690

       47,792

 

During the year ended 31 December 2021, the Group raised additional capital through a £40 million placing which materially increased its regulatory capital position. Refer to note 24 for further details.

 

The return on assets of the Group (calculated as loss after taxation divided by average total assets) was -1% (2020: -7%).

 

Information disclosure under Pillar 3 of the Capital Requirements Directive is published on the Group's website at www.dfcapital-investors.com

 

Principal financial instruments

 

The principal financial instruments to which the Group is party, and from which financial instrument risk arises, are as follows:

 

·      Loans and advances to customers, primarily credit risk, interest rate risk, and liquidity risk;

·      Debt securities, source of credit risk, liquidity risk and interest rate risk;

·      Trade receivables, primarily credit risk, and liquidity risk;

·      Cash and cash equivalents, which can be a source of credit risk but are primarily liquid assets available to further business objectives or to settle liabilities as necessary;

·      Trade and other payables, primarily credit risk;

·      Customer deposits, primarily interest rate risk and liquidity risk;

·      Financial liabilities which are used as sources of funds and to manage liquidity risk but also creates interest rate risk.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summary of financial assets and liabilities:

 

Below is a summary of the financial assets and liabilities held on the Group's statement of financial position at the reporting dates. These values are reflected at their carrying amounts at the respective reporting date:

 

Loans and receivables

Fair value through Other Comprehensive Income

Liabilities at amortised cost

Total

31 December 2021

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

Cash and equivalents

29,597

-

-

29,597

Loans and advances to customers

247,205

-

-

247,205

Debt securities

-

108,867

-

108,867

Trade receivables

280

-

-

280

Other receivables

337

-

-

337

Total financial assets

277,419

108,867

-

386,286

Non-financial assets

-

-

-

2,322

Total assets

277,419

108,867

-

388,608

 

 

 

 

 

31 December 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

Preference shares

-

-

50

50

Customer deposits

-

-

296,856

296,856

Other financial liabilities

-

-

504

504

Trade payables

-

-

282

282

Other payables

-

-

2,753

2,753

Total financial liabilities

-

-

300,445

300,459

Non-financial liabilities

-

-

-

2,105

Total liabilities

-

-

300,445

302,550

 

 

Loans and receivables

Fair value through Other Comprehensive Income

Liabilities at amortised cost

Total

31 December 2020

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

Cash and equivalents

21,233

-

-

21,233

Loans and advances to customers

111,337

-

-

111,337

Debt securities

-

66,601

-

66,601

Trade receivables

140

-

-

140

Other receivables

207

-

-

207

Total financial assets

132,917

66,601

-

199,518

Non-financial assets

-

-

-

1,804

Total assets

132,917

66,601

-

201,322

 

 

 

 

 

31 December 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

Preference shares

-

-

50

50

Customer deposits

-

-

145,982

145,982

Other financial liabilities

-

-

57

57

Trade payables

-

-

624

624

Other payables

-

-

2,928

2,928

Total financial liabilities

-

-

149,641

149,641

Non-financial liabilities

-

-

-

792

Total liabilities

-

-

149,641

150,433

 

Analysis of financial instruments by valuation model

 

The Group measures fair values using the following hierarchy of methods:

·      Level 1 - Quoted market price in an active market for an identical instrument

·      Level 2 - Valuation techniques based on observable inputs. This category includes instruments valued using quoted market prices in active markets for similar instruments, quoted prices for similar instruments that are considered less than active, or other valuation techniques where all significant inputs are directly or indirectly observable from market data

·      Level 3 - Inputs for the assets or liabilities that are not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs). 

Financial assets and liabilities that are not measured at fair value:

 

Carrying amount

Fair value

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

31 December 2021

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial assets not

 

 

 

 

 

measured at fair value

 

 

 

 

 

Loans and advances to customers

247,205

247,205

-

-

247,205

Trade receivables

280

280

-

-

280

Other receivables

337

337

-

-

337

Cash and equivalents

29,597

29,597

29,597

-

-

 

277,419

277,419

29,597

-

247,822

 

 

 

 

 

 

31 December 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial liabilities not

 

 

 

 

 

measured at fair value

 

 

 

 

 

Preference shares

50

50

-

-

50

Customer deposits

296,856

296,856

-

-

296,856

Other financial liabilities

504

504

-

-

504

Trade payables

282

282

-

-

282

Other payables

2,753

2,753

-

-

2,753

 

300,445

300,445

-

-

300,445

 

 

Carrying amount

Fair value

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

31 December 2020

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial assets not

 

 

 

 

 

measured at fair value

 

 

 

 

 

Loans and advances to customers

111,337

111,337

-

-

111,337

Trade receivables

140

140

-

-

140

Other receivables

207

207

-

-

207

Cash and equivalents

21,233

21,233

21,233

-

-

 

132,917

132,917

21,233

-

111,684

 

 

 

 

 

 

31 December 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial liabilities not

 

 

 

 

 

measured at fair value

 

 

 

 

 

Preference shares

50

50

-

-

50

Customer deposits

145,982

145,982

-

-

145,982

Other financial liabilities

57

57

-

-

57

Trade payables

624

624

-

-

624

Other payables

2,928

2,928

-

-

2,928

 

149,641

149,641

-

-

149,641

 

Fair values for level 3 assets were calculated using a discounted cash flow model and the Directors consider that the carrying amounts of financial assets and liabilities recorded at amortised cost are approximate to their fair values.

 

Loans and advances to customers

 

Due to the short-term nature of loans and advances to customers, their carrying value is considered to be approximately equal to their fair value. These items are short term in nature such that the impact of the choice of discount rate would not make a material difference to the calculations.

 

Trade and other receivables, other borrowings and other liabilities

 

These represent short-term receivables and payables and as such their carrying value is considered to be equal to their fair value.

 

There are no financial liabilities included in the statement of financial position that are measured at fair value.

 

Financial assets and liabilities included in the statement of financial position that are measured at fair value:

 

 

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

31 December 2021

£'000

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

 

Financial assets

 

 

 

measured at fair value

 

 

 

Debt securities

108,867

-

-

 

108,867

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

31 December 2020

£'000

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

 

Financial assets

 

 

 

measured at fair value

 

 

 

Debt securities

66,601

-

-

 

66,601

-

-

 

Debt securities

 

The debt securities carried at fair value by the Company are treasury bills and government gilts. Treasury bills and government gilts are traded in active markets and fair values are based on quoted market prices. 

 

There were no transfers between levels during the periods, all debt securities have been measured at level 1 from acquisition.

 

Financial risk management

 

The Group's activities and the existence of the above financial instruments expose it to a variety of financial risks.

 

The Board has overall responsibility for the determination of the Group's risk management objectives and policies. The overall objective of the Board is to set policies that seek to reduce ongoing risk as far as possible without unduly affecting the Group's competitiveness and flexibility. 

 

The Group is exposed to the following financial risks:

 

·      Credit risk

·      Liquidity risk

·      Interest rate risk

Further details regarding these policies are set out below.

 

Credit risk

 

Credit risk is the risk that a customer or counterparty will default on its contractual obligations resulting in financial loss to the Group. One of the Group's main income generating activities is lending to customers and therefore credit risk is a principal risk.  Credit risk mainly arises from loans and advances to customers.  The Group considers all elements of credit risk exposure such as counterparty default risk, geographical risk and sector risk for risk management purposes.

 

Credit risk management

The Group has a dedicated credit risk function, which is responsible for individual credit assessment, portfolio management, collections and recoveries.  Furthermore, it manages the Group's credit risk by:

 

·      Ensuring that the Group has appropriate credit risk practices, including an effective system of internal control;

·      Identifying, assessing and measuring credit risks across the Group from an individual instrument to a portfolio level;

·      Creating relevant policies to protect the Group against the identified risks including the requirements to obtain collateral from borrowers, to perform robust ongoing credit assessment of borrowers and to continually monitor exposures against internal risk limits;

·      Limiting concentrations of exposure by type of asset, counterparty, industry, credit rating, geographic location;

·      Establishing a robust control framework regarding the authorisation structure for the approval and renewal of credit facilities;

·      Established practises to identify and manage risks within the portfolio;

·      Developing and maintaining the Group's risk grading to categorise exposures according to the degree of risk default. Risk grades are subject to regular reviews; and

·      Developing and maintaining the Group's processes for measuring Expected Credit Loss (ECL) including monitoring of credit risk, incorporation of forward-looking information and the method used to measure ECL.

 

Significant increase in credit risk

 

The Group continuously monitors all assets subject to Expected Credit Loss as to whether there has been a significant increase in credit risk since initial recognition, either through a significant increase in Probability of Default ("PD") or in Loss Given Default ("LGD").

 

The following is based on the procedures adopted by the Group for the year ended 31 December 2021:

 

Granting of credit

The commercial team prepare a Credit Application which sets out the rationale and the pricing for the proposed loan facility, and confirms that it meets the Group's product, manufacturer programme and pricing policies. The Application will include the proposed counterparty's latest financial information and any other relevant information but as a minimum:

 

·      Details of the limit requirement e.g. product, amount, tenor, repayment plan etc,

·      Facility purpose or reason for increase,

·      Counterparty details, background, management, financials and ratios (actuals and forecast),

·      Key risks and mitigants for the application,

·      Conditions, covenants & information (and monitoring proposals) and security (including comments on valuation),

·      Pricing,

·      Confirmation that the proposed exposure falls within risk appetite,

·      Clear indication where the application falls outside of risk appetite.

 

Other information which can be considered includes (where necessary and available):

·      Existing counterparty which has met all obligations in time and in accordance with loan agreements,

·      Counterparty known to credit personnel who can confirm positive experience,

·      Additional security, either tangible or personal guarantees where there is verifiable evidence of personal net worth,

·      A commercial rationale for approving the application, although this mitigant will generally be in addition to at least one of the other mitigants.   

The credit risk function will analyse the financial information, obtain reports from a credit reference agency, allocate a risk rating, and make a decision on the application. The process may require further dialogue with the Business Development Team to ascertain additional information or clarification.

 

Each mandate holder is authorised to approve loans up to agreed financial limits and provided that the risk rating of the counterparty is within agreed parameters. If the financial limit requested is higher than the credit authority of the first reviewer of the loan facility request, the application is sent to the next credit authority level with a recommendation.

 

Transactional Credit Committee considers all applications that are outside the credit approval mandate of the Director - Credit due to the financial limit requested. There is an agreed further escalation to the Board Risk Committee for the largest transactions which fall outside of the Transactional Credit Committee.

 

Identifying significant increases in credit risk

The short tenor of the current loan facilities reduces the possible adverse effect of changes in economic conditions and/or the credit risk profile of the counterparty.

 

The Group nonetheless measures a change in a counterparty's credit risk mainly on payment performance and end of contract repayment behaviour. The regular collateral audit process and interim reviews may highlight other changes in a counterparty's risk profile, such as the security asset no longer being under the control of the borrower.  The Group views a significant increase in credit risk as:

·      A two-notch reduction in the Company's counterparty's risk rating, as notified through the credit rating agency alert system.

·      a presumption that an account which is more than 30 days past due has suffered a significant increase in credit risk. IFRS 9 allows this presumption to be rebutted, but the Group believes that more than 30 days past due to be an appropriate back stop measure and therefore has not rebutted the presumption.

·      A counterparty defaults on a payment due under a loan agreement.

·      Late contractual payments which although cured, re-occur on a regular basis.

·      Counterparty confirmation that it has sold Group financed assets but delays in processing payments.

·      Evidence of a reduction in a counterparty's working capital facilities which has had an adverse effect on its liquidity.

·      Evidence of actual or attempted sales out of trust or of double financing, of assets funded by the Group.

 

An increase in significant credit risk is identified when any of the above events happen after the date of initial recognition.

 

Identifying loans and advances in default and credit impaired

The Group's definition of default for this purpose is:

·      A counterparty defaults on a payment due under a loan agreement and that payment is more than 90 days overdue;

·      A counterparty commits an event of default under the terms and conditions of the loan agreement which leads the lending company to believe that the borrower's ability to meet its credit obligations to the lending company is in doubt; or

·      The Group is made aware of a severe deterioration of the credit profile of the customer which is likely to impede the customers' ability to satisfy future payment obligations.

In the normal course of economic cyclicality, the short tenor of the loans extended by the Group means that significant economic events are unlikely to influence counterparties' ability to meet their obligations to the Group. COVID-19 has presented unique challenges for most SME lenders and the Group has assessed these new challenges and its impacts on customers' ability to meet their obligations within the Strategic Report of this Annual Report.

 

Exposure at default (EAD)

Exposure at default ("EAD") is the expected loan balance at the point of default. Where a receivable is not classified as being in default at the reporting date, the Group have included reasonable assumptions to add unaccrued interest and fees up to the receivable becoming 91 days past due, which is considered to be the point of default.

 

 

 

 

Expected credit losses (ECL)

The ECL on an individual loan is based on the credit losses expected to arise over the life of the loan, being defined as the difference between all the contractual cash flows that are due to the Group and the cash flows that it expects to receive.  This difference is then discounted at the original effective interest rate on the loan to reflect the disposal period of such assets underlying the original contract.

Regardless of the loan status stage, the aggregated ECL is the value that the Group expects to lose on its current loan book having assessed each loan individually.

To calculate the ECL on a loan, the Group considers:

1.     Counterparty PD; and

2.     LGD on the asset

 

whereby: ECL = EAD x PD x LGD

 

Forward looking information

In its ECL models, the Group applies sensitivity analysis of forward-looking economic inputs. When formulating the economic scenarios, the Group considers both macro-economic factors and other specific drivers which may trigger a certain stress scenario. The impact of movements in these macro-economic factors are assessed on a 12-month basis from the reporting date (31 December).

 

Maximum exposure to credit risk:

 

2021

2020

 

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

Cash and equivalents

29,597

21,233

Loans and advances to customers

247,205

111,337

Trade and other receivables

617

347

 

277,419

132,917

 

Collateral held as security:

 

2021

2020

 

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

Fully collateralised

 

 

Loan-to-value* ratio:

 

 

Less than 50%

                  1,698

                    3,285

51% to 70%

                13,106

                    9,166

71% to 80%

                29,724

                 20,269

81% to 90%

                29,302

                 27,143

91% to 100%

              175,125

                 52,804

 

              248,955

               112,667

 

 

 

Partially collateralised (loans over 100% loan-to-value)

                           -

                         68

 

 

 

Unsecured lending

                      499

                       524

 

* Calculated using wholesale collateral values. Wholesale collateral values represent the invoice total (including applicable VAT) from the invoice received from the supplier of the product. The wholesale amount is less than the recommended retail price (RRP) of the product.

 

The Group's lending activities are asset based so it expects that the majority of its exposure is secured by the collateral value of the asset that has been funded under the loan agreement. The Group has title to the collateral which is funded under loan agreements. The collateral includes boats, motorcycles, recreational vehicles, caravans, light commercial vehicles, industrial and agricultural equipment. The collateral has low depreciation and is not subject to rapid technological changes or redundancy. There has been no change in the Group's assessment of collateral and its underlying value in the reporting period.

 

The assets are generally in the counterparty's possession, but this is controlled and managed by the asset audit process.  The audit process checks on a periodic basis that the asset is in the counterparty's possession and has not been sold out of trust or is otherwise not in the counterparty's control.  The frequency of the audits is initially determined by the risk rating assessed at the time that the borrowing facility is first approved and is assessed on an ongoing basis.

 

Additional security may also be taken to further secure the counterparty's obligations and further mitigate risk. Further to this, in many cases, the Group is often granted, by the counterparty, an option to sell-back the underlying collateral.

 

Based on the Group's current principal products, the counterparty repays its obligation under a loan agreement with the Group at or before the point that it sells the asset. If the asset is not sold and the loan agreement reaches maturity, the counterparty is required to pay the amount due under the loan agreement plus any other amounts due. In the event that the counterparty does not pay on the due date, the Group's customer management process will maintain frequent contact with the counterparty to establish the reason for the delay and agree a timescale for payment. Senior Management will review actions on a regular basis to ensure that the Group's position is not being prejudiced by delays.

 

In the event the Group determines that payment will not be made voluntarily, it will enforce the terms of its loan agreement and recover the asset, initiating legal proceedings for delivery, if necessary. If there is a shortfall between the net sales proceeds from the sale of the asset and the counterparty's obligations under the loan agreement, the shortfall is payable by the counterparty on demand.  

 

Concentration of credit risk

The Group maintains policies and procedures to manage concentrations of credit at the counterparty level and industry level to achieve a diversified loan portfolio.

 

Credit quality

 

An analysis of the Group's credit risk exposure for loan and advances per class of financial asset, internal rating and "stage" is provided in the following tables.  A description of the meanings of Stages 1, 2 and 3 was given in the accounting policies set out above.

 

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

2021 Total

31 December 2021

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

 

 

Credit rating  

 

 

 

 

Above average (Risk rating 1-2)

142,119

-

-

142,119

Average (Risk rating 3-5)

77,286

8,758

-

86,044

Below average (Risk rating 6+)

19,922

827

542

21,291

Gross carrying amount

239,327

9,585

542

249,454

 

 

 

 

 

Loss allowance

 (1,142)

 (155)

 (421)

 (1,718)

 

 

 

 

 

Carrying amount

238,185

9,430

121

247,736

 

 

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

2020 Total

31 December 2020

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

 

 

Credit rating  

 

 

 

 

Above average (Risk rating 1-2)

52,978

-

-

52,978

Average (Risk rating 3-5)

42,271

8,092

-

50,363

Below average (Risk rating 6+)

8,574

634

710

9,918

Gross carrying amount

103,823

8,726

710

113,259

 

 

 

 

 

Loss allowance

 (645)

 (49)

 (594)

 (1,288)

 

 

 

 

 

Carrying amount

103,178

8,677

116

111,971

 

See note 19 for analysis of the movements in gross loan receivables and impairment allowances in terms of IFRS 9 staging.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Analysis of credit quality of trade receivables:

 

2021

2020

 

£'000

£'000

Status at reporting date

 

 

Not past due, nor impaired

                   276

                 106

Past due but not impaired

                       8

                   39

Impaired

                     71

                 116

Total gross carrying amount

                   355

                 261

Loss allowance

                   (75)

               (121)

Carrying amount

                   280

                 140

 

See note 21 for analysis of the movements in gross trade receivables and impairment allowances in terms of IFRS 9 staging.

 

Amounts written off

The contractual amount outstanding on financial assets that were written off during the reporting period and are still subject to enforcement activity is £49,000 at 31 December 2021 (31 December 2020: £931,000).

 

Liquidity risk

 

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group does not have sufficient financial resources to meet its obligations as they fall due or will have to do so at an excessive cost. This risk arises from mismatches in the timing of cash flows which is inherent in all finance operations and can be affected by a range of Group-specific and market-wide events.

 

Liquidity risk management

The Group has in place a policy and control framework for managing liquidity risk. The Group's Asset and Liability Management Committee (ALCO) is responsible for managing the liquidity risk via a combination of policy formation, review and governance, analysis, stress testing, limit setting and monitoring. The ALCO meets on a monthly basis to review the liquidity position and risks.

 

The Bank has a comprehensive suite of liquidity management processes in place, which allow the Bank to monitor liquidity risk on a daily basis. Daily liquidity reporting is supplemented by Early Warning Indicators and a Liquidity Contingency Plan.

 

Liquidity stress testing

Stress Testing is a key risk management tool for the Bank and is used to inform the setting of risk appetite limits and required buffers.

 

A range of liquidity stress scenarios has been conducted (as detailed in the Internal Liquidity Adequacy Assessment Process "ILAAP" document), which demonstrates that the Group's liquidity profile is sufficient to withstand a severe stress.

 

Maturity analysis for financial assets  

 

The following maturity analysis is based on expected gross cash flows:

 

 

Carrying amount

Gross nominal inflow

Less than 1 month

1 - 3 months

3 months to 1 year

1 - 5 years

>5 years

31 December 2021

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and equivalents

    29,597

     29,597

    29,597

              -

               -

              -

               -

Loans and advances

  247,205

    249,240

    24,953

    56,140

  128,226

  39,921

-

Debt securities

  108,867

   108,085

   24,600

   38,000

   22,485

   23,000

-

Trade receivables

          280

           355

          355

               -

                -

              -

               -

Other receivables

          337

          337

               9

59

               9

          260

              -

 

  386,286

387,614

79,514

94,199

150,720

63,181

-

 

 

Carrying amount

Gross nominal inflow

Less than 1 month

1 - 3 months

3 months to 1 year

1 - 5 years

>5 years

31 December 2020

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and equivalents

21,233

21,233

21,233

-

-

-

-

Loans and advances

111,337

113,259

28,315

37,163

44,194

3,587

-

Debt securities

66,601

66,000

-

15,000

34,000

17,000

-

Trade receivables

140

261

261

-

-

-

-

Other receivables

207

207

20

1

36

150

-

 

199,518

200,960

49,829

52,164

78,230

20,737

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maturity analysis for financial liabilities

 

The following maturity analysis is based on contractual gross cash flows:

 

 

 

Carrying amount

Gross nominal outflow

Less than 1 month

1 - 3 months

3 months to 1 year

1 - 5 years

>5 years

31 December 2021

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preference shares

 50

  50

 -

 -

 -

 50

  -

Customer deposits

296,856

 299,371

 4,684

29,798

217,159

 47,730

  -

Other financial liabilities

 504

 555

  4

 31

 96

 424

  -

Trade payables

 282

  282

 282

 -

  -

  -

  -

Other payables

2,753

  2,864

 2,666

  -

  35

  163

  -

 

 300,445

 303,122

 7,636

 29,829

217,290

 48,367

   -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loan commitments

  -

  3,892

  3,892

  -

   -

   -

   -

 

 

 

 

 

Carrying amount

Gross nominal outflow

Less than 1 month

1 - 3 months

3 months to 1 year

1 - 5 years

>5 years

31 December 2020

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preference shares

50

50

-

-

-

50

-

Customer deposits

145,982

147,982

-

663

59,793

87,526

-

Other financial liabilities

57

58

-

29

29

-

-

Trade payables

624

624

624

-

-

-

-

Other payables

2,928

3,135

1,893

959

-

283

-

 

149,641

151,849

2,517

1,651

59,822

87,859

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loan commitments

-

3,766

3,766

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

Market risk

Market risk is the risk that movements in market factors, such as foreign exchange rates, interest rates, credit spreads, equity prices and commodity prices will reduce the Group's income or the value of its assets.

 

The principal market risk to which the Group is exposed is interest rate risk.

 

Interest rate risk management

The Group is exposed to the risk of loss from fluctuations in the future cash flows or fair values of financial instruments because of the change in market interest rates.

 

The Group's borrowings are either fixed rate, or administered, (being products where the rate is set at the DFC's discretion).  The Group has no exposure to LIBOR.  These borrowings fund loans and advances to customers at fixed rate. 

 

The limited average duration of the loan and deposit book provide a natural mitigant against interest rate risk.  Additionally, DFC are in the process of setting up swap lines, which will allow the Bank to use interest rate swaps as a further mitigation tool for interest rate risk.

 

The portfolio sensitivity to interest rate shocks is tested against a range of scenarios including the six prescribed scenarios per the European Bank Authority ("EBA") guidelines on the management of interest rate risk arising from non-trading book activities.

 

The impact of changes in interest rates has been assessed in terms of economic value of equity (EVE) and profit or loss. Economic value of equity (EVE) is a cash flow calculation that takes the present value of all asset cash flows and subtracts the present value of all liability cash flows.  This is a long-term economic measure used to assess the degree of interest rate risk exposure.

 

The estimate that a 200bps upward and downward movement in interest rates would have impacted the economic value of equity (EVE) is as follows:

 

2021

2020

 

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

Change in interest rate (basis points)

 

 

Sensitivity of EVE +200bps

15

982

Sensitivity of EVE -200bps

6

 (1,047)

 

The estimate of the effect on the next 12 months net interest income using a 200bps upward and 200bps downward movement in interest rates is as follows:

 

 

2021

2020

 

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

Change in interest rate (basis points)

 

 

Sensitivity of profit +200bps

                       2,998

1,680

Sensitivity of profit -200bps

                          147

 (84)

 

In preparing the sensitivity analyses above, the Group makes certain assumptions consistent with the expected and contractual re-pricing behaviour as well as behavioural repayment profiles under the two interest rate scenarios.

 

 

 

 

32.  Earnings per share

 

Analysis of number of shares in the periods:

 

2020

 

No.

No.

 

 

 

Number of shares

 

At period end

179,369,199

106,641,926

Basic

 

 

Weighted average number of shares in issue in the year

168,808,800

106,641,926

Diluted

 

 

Effect of weighted average number of options outstanding for the year

-

-

Diluted weighted average number of shares and options for the year

168,808,800

106,641,926

 

Earnings attributable to equity holders:

 

2021

2020

 

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

Earnings attributable to ordinary shareholders

 

 

Loss after tax attributable to the shareholders

 (3,676)

 (13,603)

 

 

Earnings per share calculation:

 

2021

2020

 

pence

pence

 

 

 

Earnings per share

 

 

Basic

 (2)

 (13)

Diluted

 (2)

 (13)

 

33.  Related party disclosures

 

In the year ended 31 December 2021, a number of Directors and significant shareholders agreed to subscribe for ordinary shares of Distribution Finance Capital Holdings plc through the placing on 22 February 2021 with a nominal price of 1p per share and purchase price of 55 pence per share. See note 24 for further details on the placing. Related parties were allocated shares in the placing transaction as follows:

 

Related Party

Relationship

Allocated number of

 ordinary shares

Carl D'Ammassa

Director

90,909

Gavin Morris

Director

54,545

Thomas Grathwohl

Director

33,312

John Baines

Director

202,698

Arrowgrass Masterfund Limited

Significant shareholder

18,181,818

Watrium AS

Significant shareholder

7,272,727

 

 

Directors' emoluments are disclosed in note 8 of these financial statements.

 

Some Directors have invested in the savings product offered by the Bank.  All deposits were aligned to the products and rates offered to the general market.

 

 

34. Subsequent events

 

There have been no significant events after the date of the Statement of Financial Position up to the date of signing that require disclosure in accordance with FRS 102.

 

The Company Statement of Financial Position

 

 

As at

As at

 

 

31 December

31 December

 

 

2021

2020

 

Note

£'000

£'000

Assets

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

5

                     530

                   203

Investment in subsidiaries

7

             134,213

             95,613

Trade and other receivables

6

                     119

                   154

Total Assets

 

             134,862

             95,970

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

Amounts payable to Group Undertakings

8

                  5,110

                4,639

Trade and other payables

9

                     545

                   263

Financial liabilities

10

                       50

                     50

Total Liabilities

 

                  5,705

                4,952

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

 

 

Issued share capital

11

                  1,793

                1,066

Share premium

11

               39,273

                         -

Merger relief

11

               94,911

             94,911

Retained loss

 

                (6,456)

              (4,595)

Own shares

 

                   (364)

                 (364)

Total Equity

 

             129,157

             91,018

 

 

 

 

Total Equity and Liabilities

 

             134,862

             95,970

 

The notes on pages 107-163 are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

Distribution Finance Capital Holdings plc recorded loss after taxation for the year ended 31 December 2021 of £868,000 (2020: £703,000). These financial results are derived entirely from continuing operations.

 

These financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 12 April 2022.  They were signed on its behalf by:

 

 

 

……………………………

Carl D'Ammassa

Director

12 April 2022

 

 

Registered number: 11911574

 

 

 

 

The Company Cash Flow Statement

 

 

2021

2020

 

Note

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

Loss before taxation

4

 (868)

 (704)

Adjustments for non-cash items and other adjustments included in the income statement

5

 (1,366)

 (2,243)

Decrease in operating assets

5

 35

 460

Increase in operating liabilities

5

 282

 69

Taxation paid

 

 -

 -

Net cash used in operating activities

 

 (1,917)

 (2,418)

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

Issue of new shares

11

38,645

 -

Acquisition of shares in DF Capital Bank Limited

7

(38,600)

-

Proceeds from intercompany loan

 

2,199

-

Net cash from financing activities

 

 2,244

 2,601

 

 

 

 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

 327

 183

Cash and cash equivalents at start of the year

 

 203

 20

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year

5

 530

 203

           

 

The Company Statement of Changes in Equity

 

 

Issued share capital

Share premium

Merger relief

Retained loss

Own shares

Total

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at 1 January 2020

         1,066

               -

        94,911

 (4,213)

                -

91,764

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Loss) after taxation

                 -

               -

                  -

 (704)

                -

 (704)

Employee Benefit Trust

                 -

               -

                  -

-

         (364)

 (364)

Share based payments

                 -

               -

                  -

322

                -

             322

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at 31 December 2020

         1,066

               -

        94,911

 (4,595)

         (364)

91,018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Loss) after taxation

                 -

               -

                  -

 (868)

                -

 (868)

Share based payments

                 -

               -

                  -

362

                -

             362

Issue of new shares

            727

39,273

                  -

 (1,355)

                -

38,645

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at 31 December 2021

         1,793

39,273

        94,911

 (6,456)

         (364)

129,157

 

 

Notes to the Company Financial Statements

 

1. Basis of preparation

 

1.1 Accounting basis

These standalone financial statements for Distribution Finance Capital Holdings plc (the "Company") have been prepared and approved by the Directors in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRSs") as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB") in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice ("UK GAAP").

 

1.2 Going concern

As detailed in note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Directors have performed an assessment of the appropriateness of the going concern basis. The Directors consider that it is appropriate to continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.

 

1.3 Income statement

Under Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 the Company is exempt from the requirement to present its own income statement.

 

2. Summary of significant accounting policies

 

These financial statements have been prepared using the significant accounting policies as set out in note 2 to the consolidated financial statements. Any further accounting policies provided below are solely applicable to the Company financial statements.

 

2.1 Investment in subsidiaries

 

In accordance with IAS 27 Separate Financial Statements the Company has elected to account for an investment in subsidiary at cost. The Company performs an impairment assessment on the investment in subsidiary at each reporting date to assess whether the cost basis reflects an accurate value of the investment at the reporting date.

 

3. Critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty

 

In the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2021, the Company has not made any critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation which are considered to be material in value or significance to the performance of the Company.

 

4. Net loss attributable to equity shareholders of the Company

 

2021

2020

 

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

Net (loss) attributable to equity shareholder of the Company

                (868)

                    (703)

 

 

5. Notes to the cash flow statement

 

Cash and cash equivalents:

 

2021

2020

 

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

Cash held at bank

530

               203

Total cash and cash equivalents

                     530

               203

 

 

 

Adjustments for non-cash items and other adjustments included in the income statement:

 

 

 

 

2021

2020

 

 

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

 

Management fee recharge

 

        (1,502)

            (1,973)

Movement in other provisions

 

                  -

               (337)

Share based payments

 

             136

                   67

Total non-cash items and other adjustments

 

        (1,366)

            (2,243)

 

Changes in liabilities arising from financing activities:

 

The Company had no changes in the Company's liabilities arising from financing activities, including both cash and non-cash changes, for the year ended 31 December 2021.

 

6. Trade and other receivables

 

2021

2020

 

£'000

£'000

Other debtors

                               50

                         50

Indirect taxes

                               2

                           13

Prepayments

                               67

                         91

Total trade and other receivables

                               119

                      154

 

7. Investment in subsidiaries

 

Subsidiary

Principal Activity

Shareholding %

Class of shareholding

Country of incorporation

Registered Address

DF Capital Bank Limited

Financial Services

100%

Ordinary

UK

St James' Building, 61-95 Oxford St, Manchester, M1 6EJ

 

 

 

 

£'000

 

 

Balance at 1 January 2020

        95,977

 

 

Dividend received from DF Capital Bank Limited

           (364)

 

 

Balance at 31 December 2020

        95,613

 

 

Issue of new shares

        38,600

 

 

Balance at 31 December 2021

      134,213

 

In February 2021 the Company undertook a placing of new ordinary shares raising £40.0 million of additional capital before expenses and approximately £38.6 million after expenses.  Following the placing, DF Capital Bank Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Group, issued 38,600,000 ordinary shares of £1.00 nominal value each to Distribution Finance Capital Holdings plc at a price of £1.00 per share giving an aggregate sub-scription price of £38.6 million 

 

8. Amounts payable to Group undertakings

 

2021

2020

 

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

Amounts payable to DF Capital Bank Limited

                     5,110

                 4,639

Total amounts payable to Group undertakings

                     5,110

                 4,639

 

 

9. Trade and other payables

 

2021

2020

 

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

Trade payables

                      21

                           97

Accruals

                    488

                         150

Social security taxes

                      36

                           16

Total trade and other payables

                    545

                         263

 

10. Financial liabilities

 

2021

2020

 

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

Preference shares

50

                          50

Total financial liabilities

                        50

                          50

 

Reconciliation of movements in financial liabilities:

 

Preference Shares

 

£'000

 

 

Balance at 1 January 2020

                                     50

 

 

No transactions in the year

                                        -

 

 

Balance at 31 December 2020

                                     50

 

 

No transactions in the year

                                        -

 

 

Balance at 31 December 2021

                                     50

 

11. Share capital

 

2021

2020

2021

2020

 

No.

No.

£'000

£'000

Authorised:

 

 

 

 

Ordinary shares of 1p each

179,369,199

106,641,926

             1,793

             1,066

Allotted, issued and fully paid: Ordinary shares of 1p each

179,369,199

106,641,926

             1,793

             1,066

 

 

 

Date

No. of shares

Issue Price

Share Capital

Share Premium

Merger Relief

Total

 

 

#

£

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at 1 January 2020

 

106,641,927

 

1,066

-

94,911

95,978

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No transactions during the year

             -  

        -  

    -  

  -  

                      -  

             -  

             -  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at 31 December 2020

 

     106,641,927

 

                1,066

                        -

     94,911

     95,978

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issue of new shares

22-Feb-21

72,727,273

0.55

727

39,273

             -  

40,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at 31 December 2021

 

179,369,200

 

1,793

39,273

94,911

135,978

 

Refer to note 24 of the consolidated financial statements for further details on the share transaction during the year ended 31 December 2021.

 

12. Financial instruments

 

The Group monitors and manages risk management at a group-level and, therefore, the Risk Management Framework stipulated in note 31 of the consolidated financial statements encompasses the Company risk management environment.

 

The Company and Directors believe the principal risks of the Company to be credit risk and liquidity risk. The Directors have evaluated the following risks to either not be relevant to the Company or of immaterial significance: market risk, interest rate risk and exchange rate risk.

 

See note 31 of the consolidated financial statements for further details on how the Company defines and manages credit risk and liquidity risk.

                             

Financial assets and financial liabilities included in the statement of financial position that are not measured at fair value:

 

Carrying amount

Fair value

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

31 December 2021

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial assets not

 

 

 

 

 

measured at fair value

 

 

 

 

 

Trade receivables

-

-

-

-

-

Other receivables

52

52

-

-

52

Cash and equivalents

530

530

530

-

-

 

582

582

530

-

52

 

 

 

 

 

 

31 December 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial liabilities not

 

 

 

 

measured at fair value

 

 

 

 

 

Preference shares

50

50

-

-

50

Amounts payable to Group Undertakings

5,110

5,110

-

-

5,110

Trade payables

21

21

-

-

21

Other payables

36

36

-

-

36

 

5,217

5,217

-

-

5,217

 

 

Carrying amount

Fair value

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

31 December 2020

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial assets not

 

 

 

 

 

measured at fair value

 

 

 

 

 

Trade receivables

                          -

-

-

-

-

Other receivables

                       63

63

-

-

63

Cash and equivalents

                     203

203

203

-

-

 

                     266

266

203

-

63

31 December 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial liabilities not

 

 

 

 

 

measured at fair value

 

 

 

 

 

Preference shares

                       50

50

-

-

50

Amounts payable to Group Undertakings

4,639

4,639

-

-

4,639

Trade payables

                       97

97

-

-

97

Other payables

                          -

-

-

-

-

 

4,786

4,786

-

-

4,786

 

 

Maximum exposure to credit risk:

 

2021

2020

 

£'000

£'000

Cash and equivalents

530

                                   203

Trade and other receivables

52

                                     63

 

582

                                   266

 

Maturity analysis for financial assets 

 

The following maturity analysis is based on expected gross cash flows:

 

Carrying amount

Gross nominal inflow

Less than 1 months

1 - 3 months

3 months to 1 year

1 - 5 years

>5 years

31 December 2021

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

Cash and equivalents

530

530

530

-

-

-

-

Trade receivables

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Other receivables

52

52

2

-

-

50

-

 

582

582

532

-

-

50

-

 

 

Carrying amount

Gross nominal inflow

Less than 1 months

1 - 3 months

3 months to 1 year

1 - 5 years

>5 years

31 December 2020

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

Cash and equivalents

203

203

203

-

-

-

-

Trade receivables

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Other receivables

63

63

13

-

-

50

-

 

266

266

216

-

-

50

-

 

Maturity analysis for financial liabilities

 

The following maturity analysis is based on contractual gross cash flows:

 

Carrying amount

Gross nominal outflow

Less than 1 months

1 - 3 months

3 months to 1 year

1 - 5 years

>5 years

31 December 2021

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

Preference shares

50

                50

-

-

-

           50

-

Amounts payable to Group Undertakings

5,110

           5,110

-

-

5,110

              -

-

Trade payables

21

                21

21

-

-

              -

-

Other payables

36

                82

-

-

1

           81

-

 

5,217

           5,263

21

-

5,111

         131

-

 

 

Carrying amount

Gross nominal outflow

Less than 1 months

1 - 3 months

3 months to 1 year

1 - 5 years

>5 years

31 December 2020

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

Preference shares

50

50

-

-

-

50

-

Amounts payable to Group Undertakings

4,639

4,639

-

-

4,639

-

-

Trade payables

97

97

97

-

-

-

-

Other payables

16

102

-

-

-

102

-

 

4,802

4,888

97

-

4,639

152

-

 

13. Subsequent events

 

There have been no significant events after the date of the Statement of Financial Position up to the date of signing that require disclosure in accordance with FRS 102.

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