The accounting terms explained here are intended to help the reader understand this Annual Report. Most of these terms concern the balance sheet or the income statement. Terminology relating to particular segments of the insurance or banking business has not been included.
Acquisition cost
The amount of cash or cash equivalents paid or the fair value of other consideration given to acquire an asset at the time of its acquisition.
Affiliated enterprises
The parent company of the Group and all consolidated subsidiaries. Subsidiaries are enterprises where the parent company can exercise a dominant influence over their corporate strategy in accordance with the control concept. This is possible, for example, where the parent company holds, directly or indirectly, a majority of the voting rights, has the power to appoint or remove a majority of the members of the Board of Management or equivalent governing body, or where there are contractual rights of control.
Aggregate policy reserves
Policies in force – especially in life, health, and personal accident insurance – give rise to potential liabilities for which funds have to be set aside. The amount required is calculated actuarially.
Allowance for loan losses
The overall volume of provisions includes allowances for credit losses – deducted from the asset side of the balance sheet – and provisions for risks associated with hedge derivatives and other contingencies, such as guarantees, loan commitments or other obligations, which are stated as liabilities.
Identified counterparty risk is covered by specific credit risk allowances. The size of each allowance is determined by the probability of the borrower's agreed payments regarding interest and installments, with the value of underlying collateral being taken into consideration. General allowances for loan losses have been established on the basis of historical loss data.
Country risk allowances are established for transfer risks. Transfer risk is a reflection of the ability of a certain country to serve its external debt. These country risk allowances are based on an internal country rating system which incorporates economic data as well as other facts to categorize countries.
Where it is determined that a loan cannot be repaid, the uncollectable amount is written off against any existing specific loan loss allowance, or directly recognized as expense in the income statement. Recoveries on loans previously written off are recognized in the income statement under net loan loss provisions.
Assets under management
The total of all investments, valued at current market value, which the Group has under management with responsibility for maintaining and improving their performance. In addition to the Group's own investments, they include investments held under management for third parties.
Associated enterprises
All enterprises, other than affiliated enterprises or joint ventures, in which the Group has an interest of between 20% and 50%, regardless of whether a significant influence is actually exercised or not.
At amortized cost
Under this accounting principle the difference between the acquisition cost and redemption value (of an investment) is added to or subtracted from the original cost figure over the period from acquisition to maturity and credited or charged to income over the same period.
Available-for-sale investments
Available-for-sale investments are securities which are neither held to maturity nor have been acquired for sale in the near term; available-for-sale investments are shown at fair value on the balance sheet.
Business combination
A business combination is the bringing together of separate entities or businesses into one reporting entity.
Cash flow statement
Statement showing movements of cash and cash equivalents during an accounting period, classified by three types of activity:
- operating activities
- investing activities
- financing activities
Certificated liabilities
Certificated liabilities comprise debentures and other liabilities for which transferable certificates have been issued.
Combined ratio
Represents the total of acquisition and administrative expenses (net) and claims and insurance benefits incurred (net) divided by premiums earned (net).
Consolidated interest (%)
The consolidated interest is the total of all interests held by affiliated enterprises and joint ventures in affiliated enterprises, joint ventures, and associated enterprises.
Contingent liabilities
Financial obligations not shown as liabilities on the balance sheet because the probability of a liability actually being incurred is low. Example: guarantee obligations.
Corridor approach
With defined benefit plans, differences come about between the actuarial gains and losses which, when the corridor approach is applied, are not immediately recognized as income or expenses as they occur. Only when the cumulative actuarial gains or losses fall outside the corridor is redemption made from the following year onwards. The corridor is 10% of the present value of the pension rights accrued or of the market value of the pension fund assets, if this is higher.
Cost-income ratio
Represents operating expenses divided by operating revenues.
Coverage ratio
Represents ratio of total loan loss provisions to total risk elements according to SEC guide 3 (non-performing loans and potential problem loans).
Credit risk
The risk that one party to a contract will fail to discharge its obligations and thereby cause the other party to incur financial loss.
Current employer service cost
Net expense incurred in connection with a defined benefit plan less any contributions made by the beneficiary to a pension fund.
Deferred acquisition costs
Expenses of an insurance company which are incurred in connection with the acquisition of new insurance policies or the renewal of existing policies. They include commissions paid and the costs of processing proposals.
Deferred tax assets/liabilities
The calculation of deferred tax is based on temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets or liabilities in the published balance sheet and their tax base, and on differences arising from applying uniform valuation policies for consolidation purposes. The tax rates used for the calculation are the local rates applicable in the countries of the enterprises included in the consolidation; changes to tax rates already adopted on the balance sheet date are taken into account.
Defined benefit plans
For defined benefit plans, the participant is granted a defined benefit by the employer or via an external entity. In contrast to defined contribution arrangements, the future cost to the employer of a defined benefit plan is not known with certainty in advance. To determine the expense over the period, accounting regulations require that actuarial calculations are carried out according to a fixed set of rules.
Defined contribution plans
Defined contribution plans are funded through independent pension funds or similar organizations. Contributions fixed in advance (e.g., based on salary) are paid to these institutions and the beneficiary's right to benefits exists against the pension fund. The employer has no obligation beyond payment of the contributions and is not participating in the investment success of the contributions.
Derivative financial instruments (derivatives)
Financial contracts, the values of which move in relationship to the price of an underlying asset. Derivative financial instruments can be classified in relation to their underlying assets (e.g. interest rates, share prices, exchange rates or prices of goods). Important examples of derivative financial instruments are options, futures, forwards and swaps.
Earnings per share (basic/diluted)
Ratio calculated by dividing the consolidated profit or loss for the year by the average number of shares issued. For calculating diluted earnings per share the number of shares and the profit or loss for the year are adjusted by the dilutive effects of any rights to subscribe for shares which have been or can still be exercised. Subscription rights arise in connection with issues of convertible bonds or share options.
Equity consolidation
The relevant proportion of cost for the investment in a subsidiary is set off against the relevant proportion of the shareholders' equity of the subsidiary.
Equity method
Investments in joint ventures and associated companies are accounted for by this method. They are valued at the Group's proportionate share of the net assets of the companies concerned. In the case of investments in companies which prepare consolidated financial statements of their own, the valuation is based on the sub-group's consolidated net assets. The valuation is subsequently adjusted to reflect the proportionate share of changes in the company's net assets, a proportionate share of the company's net earnings for the year being added to the Group's consolidated income.
Expense ratio
Represents acquisition and administrative expenses (net) divided by premiums earned (net).
Fair value
The amount for which an asset could be exchanged between knowledgeable, willing parties in an arm's length transaction.
FAS
US Financial Accounting Standards on which the details of US GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) are based.
Financial assets carried at fair value through income
Financial assets carried at fair value through income include debt and equity securities as well as other financial instruments (essentially derivatives, loans and precious metal holdings) which have been acquired solely for sale in the near term. They are shown in the balance sheet at fair value.
Financial liabilities carried at fair value through income
Financial liabilities carried at fair value through income include primarily negative market values from derivatives and short selling of securities. Short sales are made to generate income from short-term price changes. Short sales of securities are recorded at market value on the balance sheet date. Derivatives shown as financial liabilities carried at fair value through income are valued the same way as financial assets carried at fair value through income.
Forwards
The parties to this type of transaction agree to buy or sell at a specified future date. The price of the underlying assets is fixed when the deal is struck.
Functional currency
The functional currency is the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates i.e. the one in which the entity primarily generates and expends cash.
Funds held by/for others under reinsurance contracts
Funds held by others are funds to which the reinsurer is entitled but which the ceding insurer retains as collateral for future obligations of the reinsurer. The ceding insurer shows these amounts as "funds held under reinsurance business ceded."
Futures
Standardized contracts for delivery on a future date, traded on an exchange. Normally, rather than actually delivering the underlying asset on that date, the difference between closing market value and the exercise price is paid.
Goodwill
Difference between the purchase price of a subsidiary and the relevant proportion of its net assets valued at the current value of all assets and liabilities at the time of acquisition.
Gross/Net
In insurance terminology the terms gross and net mean before and after deduction of reinsurance, respectively. In the investment terminology the term "net" is used where the relevant expenses (e.g. depreciations and losses on the disposal of assets) have already been deducted.
Hedging
The use of special financial contracts, especially derivative financial instruments, to reduce losses which may arise as a result of unfavorable movements in rates or prices.
Held for sale
A non-current asset is classified as held for sale if its carrying amount will be recovered principally through sale rather than though continuing use. On the date a non-current asset meets the criteria as held for sale, it is measured at the lower of its carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell.
Held-to-maturity investments
Held-to-maturity investments comprise debt securities held with the intent and ability that they will be held-to-maturity. They are valued at amortized cost.
IAS
International Accounting Standards.
IFRS
International Financial Reporting Standards. Since 2002, the designation IFRS applies to the overall framework of all standards approved by the International Accounting Standards Board. Already approved standards will continue to be cited as International Accounting Standards (IAS).
IFRS Framework
The framework for International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) which sets out the concepts that underlie the preparation and presentation of financial statements for external users.
Income from financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value through income (net)
Income from financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value through income (net) includes all realized and unrealized profits and losses from financial assets carried at fair value through income and financial liabilities carried at fair value through income. In addition, it includes commissions as well as any interest or dividend income from trading activities as well as refinancing costs.
Issued capital and capital reserve
This heading comprises the capital stock, the premium received on the issue of shares, and amounts allocated when option rights are exercised.
Joint venture
An enterprise which is managed jointly by an enterprise in the Group and one or more enterprises not included in the consolidation. The extent of joint management control is more than the significant influence exercised over associated enterprises and less than the control exercised over affiliated enterprises.
Loss frequency
Number of losses in relation to the number of insured risks.
Loss ratio
Represents claims and insurance benefits incurred (net) divided by premiums earned (net).
Market value
The amount obtainable from the sale of an investment in an active market.
Minority interests in earnings
That part of net earnings for the year which is not attributable to the Group but to others outside the Group who hold shares in affiliated enterprises.
Minority interests
Those parts of the equity of affiliated enterprises which are not owned by companies in the Group.
New cost basis
Historical cost adjusted by depreciation to reflect permanent diminution in value.
Options
Derivative financial instruments where the holder is entitled – but not obliged – to buy (call option) or sell (put option) the underlying asset at a predetermined price sometime in the future. The grantor (writer) of the option, on the other hand, is obliged to transfer or buy the asset and receives a premium for granting the option to the purchaser.
OTC derivatives
Derivative financial instruments which are not standardized and not traded on an exchange but are traded directly between two counterparties via over-the-counter (OTC) transactions.
Participating certificates
Amount payable on redemption of participating certificates issued. The participating certificates of Allianz SE carry distribution rights based on the dividends paid, and subscription rights when the capital stock is increased; but they carry no voting rights, no rights to participate in any proceeds of liquidation, and no rights to be converted into shares.
Pension and similar obligations
Reserves for current and future post-employment benefits formed for the defined benefit plans of active and former employees. These also include reserves for health care benefits and processing payments.
Premiums written/earned
Premiums written represent all premium revenues in the year under review. Premiums earned represent that part of the premiums written used to provide insurance coverage in that year. In the case of life insurance products where the policyholder carries the investment risk (e.g. variable annuities), only that part of the premiums used to cover the risk insured and costs involved is treated as premium income.
Reinsurance
Where an insurer transfers part of the risk which he has assumed to another insurer.
Repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements
A repurchase ("repo") transaction involves the sale of securities by the Group to a counterparty, subject to the simultaneous agreement to repurchase these securities at a certain later date, at an agreed price. The securities concerned are retained in the Group's balance sheet for the entire lifetime of the transaction, and are valued in accordance with the accounting principles for financial assets carried at fair value through income or investment securities, respectively. The proceeds of the sale are reported in liabilities to banks or to customers, as appropriate. A reverse repo transaction involves the purchase of securities with the simultaneous obligation to sell these securities at a future date, at an agreed price. Such transactions are reported in loans and advances to banks, or loans and advances to customers, respectively. Interest income from reverse repos and interest expenses from repos are accrued evenly over the lifetime of the transactions and reported under interest and similar income or interest expenses.
Reserves for loss and loss adjustment expenses
Reserves for the cost of insurance claims incurred by the end of the year under review but not yet settled.
Reserve for premium refunds
That part of the operating surplus which will be distributed to policyholders in the future. This refund of premiums is made on the basis of statutory, contractual, or company by-law obligations, or voluntary undertaking.
Revenue reserves
In addition to the reserve required by law in the financial statements of the Group parent company, this item consists mainly of the undistributed profits of Group enterprises and amounts transferred from consolidated net income.
Segment reporting
Financial information based on the consolidated financial statements, reported by business segments (Property-Casualty, Life/Health, Banking, Asset Management and Corporate) and by regions.
Subordinated liabilities
Liabilities which, in the event of liquidation or bankruptcy, are not settled until after all other liabilities.
Swaps
Agreements between two counterparties to exchange payment streams over a specified period of time. Important examples include currency swaps (in which payment streams and capital in different currencies are exchanged) and interest rate swaps (in which the parties agree to exchange normally fixed interest payments for variable interest payments in the same currency).
Unearned premiums
Premiums written attributable to income of future years. The amount is calculated separately for each policy and for every day that the premium still has to cover.
Unrecognized gains/losses
Amount of actuarial gains or losses, in connection with defined benefit pension plans, which are not yet recognized as income or expenses (see also "corridor approach").
Unrecognized past service cost
Present value of increases in pension benefits relating to previous years' service, not yet recognized in the pension reserve.
US GAAP
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States of America.
Variable annuities
The benefits payable under this type of life insurance depend primarily on the performance of the investments in a mutual fund. The policyholder shares equally in the profits or losses of the underlying investments.
