Sant Uk.10te% Regulatory News (SAN)

Santander UK plc

Announcement of Annual Report for the Year Ended 31 December 2019.

Santander UK plc is pleased to announce the publication of its Annual Report for the Year Ended 31 December 2019 (the 'Annual Report'), in compliance with Disclosure Guidance & Transparency Rule (DTR) 4.1.

The Annual Report may be accessed via the Investor Relations section of Santander UK's website at www.aboutsantander.co.uk. A copy of the Annual Report has also been submitted to the National Storage Mechanism.

The following information is extracted from the Annual Report.

This announcement constitutes the material required by DTR 6.3.5 to be communicated to the media in unedited full text through a Regulatory Information Service. This material is not a substitute for reading the Annual Report in full.

Form 20-F

It should be noted that the financial results for 2019 will be included in the Annual Report on Form 20-F that will be filed with the SEC and will be available online at www.sec.gov.

Forward- Looking Statements

Santander UK plc and its ultimate parent Banco Santander S.A. both caution that this announcement may contain forward-looking statements. Such forward looking-statements are found in various places throughout this announcement with respect to our financial condition, results, operations and business, including future business development and economic performance.

Such forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations, estimates and projections, and both Santander UK plc and Banco Santander S.A. caution that these statements are not guarantees of future performance. There are a number of factors that could cause actual results or developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements. We do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Nothing in this announcement constitutes, or should be construed as constituting, a profit forecast.

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 prepared the Santander UK group and Company financial statements in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the EU.

In preparing the financial statements, the Directors have also elected to comply with IFRS as issued by the IASB. 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 Santander UK group and the Company and of the profit or loss of the Santander UK group and the Company for that period.

In preparing the financial statements, the Directors are required to:

-- Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently.

-- State whether applicable IFRS as adopted by the EU and IFRS issued by the IASB have been followed for the Santander UK group and Company financial statements, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements.

--Make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent.

-- Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Santander UK group and company will continue in business.

The Directors are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Santander UK group and the Company, and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Santander UK group's and the Company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Santander UK group and the Company, and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the UK Companies Act 2006 and, as regards the Santander UK group financial statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation.

The Directors are responsible for the integrity and maintenance of Santander UK's website.

Legislation in the UK governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Having taken into account all the matters considered by the Board and brought to its attention during the year, the Directors are satisfied that the Annual Report taken as a whole is fair, balanced and understandable, and provides the information necessary to assess Santander UK's position and performance, business model and strategy.

Each of the Directors at the date of approval of this report confirms, to the best of their knowledge, that:

-- The financial statements, prepared in accordance with IFRS, as adopted by the EU, give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the Company and the Santander UK group.

-- The management report, which is incorporated into the Directors' report, includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the position of the Company and the Santander UK group, together with a description of the principal.

Principal risks

Risk is any uncertainty about us being able to achieve our business objectives. It can be split into a set of key risk types, each of which could affect our results and our financial resources. Enterprise wide risk is the aggregate view of all the key risk types described below:

Santander uk group level - Credit risk review

Movement in total exposures and the corresponding ECL

The following table shows changes in total on and off-balance sheet exposures, subject to ECL assessment, and the corresponding ECL, in the year. The table presents total gross carrying amounts and ECLs at a Santander UK group level. We present segmental views in the sections below.

Financial review

Critical factors affecting results

The preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements requires management to make judgements and accounting estimates that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities at the date of the Consolidated Financial Statements and the reported amount of income and expenses during the reporting period. Management evaluates its judgements and accounting estimates, which are based on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, on an ongoing basis. Actual results may differ from these accounting estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Estimates and judgements that are considered important to the portrayal of our financial condition including, where applicable, quantification of the effects of reasonably possible ranges of such estimates are set out in 'Critical Judgements and Accounting Estimates' in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Income statement review

SUMMARISED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

A more detailed Consolidated Income Statement is contained in the Consolidated Financial Statements.

2019 compared to 2018

Profit before tax was down 34% to £1,012m due to the factors outlined below. By income statement line item, the movements were:

PROFIT BEFORE TAX BY SEGMENT

The segmental information in this Annual Report reflects the reporting structure in place at the reporting date in accordance with which the segmental information in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements has been presented.

2019 compared to 2018

Balance sheet review

SUMMARISED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

A more detailed Consolidated Balance Sheet is contained in the Consolidated Financial Statements.

2019 compared to 2018

Assets

Cash and balances at central banks

Cash and balances at central banks increased by 7% to £21,180m at 31 December 2019 (2018: £19,747m). This was driven by cash inflows generated from profits in the year, higher customer deposits and the net disposal of certain asset backed securities, offset by additional retail lending and net cash outflows relating to debt securities in issue.

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss:

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss decreased by 66% to £3,702m at 31 December 2019 (2018: £10,876m), mainly due to:

Financial assets at amortised cost:

Financial assets at amortised cost increased by 3% to £239,834m at 31 December 2019 (2018: £232,444m), mainly due to:

Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income

Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income decreased by 27% to £9,747m at 31 December 2019 (2018: £13,302m) mainly due to the disposal of certain asset backed securities as part of normal liquid asset portfolio management.

Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment increased by 7% to £1,967m at 31 December 2019 (2018: £1,832m) mainly due to an increase in operating lease assets and the recognition of right-of-use assets following the adoption of IFRS 16 on 1 January 2019.

Retirement benefit assets

Retirement benefit assets decreased by 21% to £669m at 31 December 2019 (2018: £842m), reflecting a decrease in the overall accounting surplus of the Santander (UK) Group Pension Scheme (the Scheme). This was mainly due to a decrease in corporate bond yields, resulting in a higher value being placed on the liabilities in the Scheme. This was partially offset by asset growth, mainly driven by the decrease in corporate bond yields.

Tax, intangibles and other assets

Tax, intangibles and other assets increased by 6% to £4,486m at 31 December 2019 (2018: £4,241m), mainly due to an increase in the carrying value of the macro hedge of interest rate risk.

Liabilities

Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss:

Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss decreased by 59% to £3,161m at 31 December 2019 (2018: £7,655m), mainly due to:

Financial liabilities at amortised cost

Financial liabilities at amortised cost increased by 1% to £259,179m at 31 December 2019 (2018: £256,514m). This was mainly due to:

Retirement benefit obligations

Retirement benefit obligations increased by 146% to £280m at 31 December 2019 (2018: £114m), reflecting a decrease in the overall accounting surplus of the Scheme. This was mainly due to a decrease in corporate bond yields, resulting in a higher value being placed on the liabilities in the Scheme. This was partially offset by asset growth, mainly driven by the decrease in corporate bond yields.

Tax, other liabilities and provisions

Tax, other liabilities and provisions decreased by 4% to £3,065m at 31 December 2019 (2018: £3,180m) mainly due to changes in unsettled financial transactions as well as tax balances.

Equity

Total shareholders' equity

Total shareholders' equity increased by 1% to £15,857m at 31 December 2019 (2018: £15,758m). This was principally due to the profit after tax for the year and a net increase in other equity instruments being offset by downward defined benefit pension remeasurements and dividend payments.

Customer balances

Consolidated

Further analyses of credit risk on customer loans, and on our funding strategy, are included in the Credit risk and Liquidity risk sections of the Risk review.

2019 compared to 2018

Retail Banking

Corporate & Commercial Banking

Corporate & Investment Banking

Corporate Centre 

Capital and funding

Further analysis of capital and funding is included in the Capital risk and Liquidity risk sections of the Risk review.

2019 compared to 2018

Liquidity

Further analysis of liquidity is included in the Liquidity risk section of the Risk review.

2019 compared to 2018

Financial statements

Consolidated Income Statement

For the years ended 31 December

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

For the years ended 31 December

Consolidated Balance Sheet

At 31 December

The accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements form an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Financial Statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board on 2 March 2020 and signed on its behalf by:

Company Registered Number: 2294747

Consolidated Cash Flow Statement

For the years ended 31 December

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

For the years ended 31 December

1. Accounting policies

These financial statements are prepared for Santander UK plc (the Company) and the Santander UK plc group (the Santander UK group) under the UK Companies Act 2006. The principal activity of the Santander UK group is the provision of a wide range of banking and financial services to personal, business and corporate customers. Santander UK plc is a public company, limited by shares and incorporated in England and Wales having a registered office at 2 Triton Square, Regent's Place, London, NW1 3AN, phone number 0870-607-6000. It is an operating company undertaking banking and financial services transactions.

Basis of preparation

These financial statements incorporate the financial statements of the Company and entities controlled by the Company (its subsidiaries) made up to 31 December each year. The Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared on the going concern basis using the historical cost convention, except for financial assets and liabilities that have been measured at fair value. An assessment of the appropriateness of the adoption of the going concern basis of accounting is disclosed in the statement of going concern in the Directors' Report.

Compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards

The Santander UK group Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRSs as issued by the IASB, including interpretations issued by the IFRS Interpretations Committee (IFRS IC) of the IASB (together IFRS). The Santander UK group has also complied with its legal obligation to comply with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union as there are no applicable differences between the two frameworks for the periods presented.

The Company financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union and as applied in accordance with the provision of the UK Companies Act 2006. Disclosures required by IFRS 7 'Financial Instruments: Disclosure' relating to the nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments, and IAS 1 'Presentation of Financial Statements' relating to objectives, policies and processes for managing capital, can be found in the Risk review. Those disclosures form an integral part of these financial statements.

Recent accounting developments

IFRS 16 'Leases' (IFRS 16)

On 1 January 2019 the Santander UK group adopted IFRS 16 and the revised accounting policies as lessee which have been applied from 1 January 2019 are set out below. Comparatives have not been restated. The impact of applying IFRS 16 is disclosed in section (ii).

As described below, IFRS 16 impacted property and equipment leases where the Santander UK group is the lessee. IFRS 16 had no impact for leases where the Santander UK group is the lessor.

 i) Accounting policy change

The Santander UK group as lessee

The Santander UK group assesses whether a contract is or contains a lease at the inception of the contract and recognises a right-of-use (ROU) asset representing its right to use the underlying leased asset and a lease liability representing its obligation to make lease payments for all leases, except for short-term leases, being those with a term of 12 months or less, or leases for which the underlying asset is of low value which are expensed in the income statement on a straight-line basis over the lease terms. Lease payments exclude irrecoverable VAT which is expensed in the income statement as lease payments are made.

The lease liability, which is included within Other liabilities on the balance sheet, is initially measured at the present value of the lease payments that are not paid at the commencement date, discounted using the incremental borrowing rate appropriate to the lease term. The lease liability is subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method. Remeasurement of the lease liability occurs if there is a change in the lease payments (when a corresponding adjustment is made to the ROU asset), the lease term or in the assessment of an option to purchase the underlying asset.

At inception, the ROU asset, which is included within Property, plant and equipment on the balance sheet, comprises the lease liability, initial direct costs and the obligations to restore the asset, less any incentives granted by the lessor. The ROU asset is depreciated over the shorter of the lease term or the useful life of the underlying asset and is reviewed for indications of impairment as for owned assets. The obligation to restore the asset is included within Provisions on the balance sheet.

ii) Impact of adoption

The Santander UK group elected to apply the modified retrospective approach whereby the ROU asset at the date of initial application was measured at an amount equal to the lease liability. The ROU asset was adjusted for any prepaid lease payments and incentives relating to the relevant leases that were recognised on the balance sheet at 31 December 2018 and included an estimate of the costs of restoring the underlying assets to the condition required by the terms of the lease. In addition, the following practical expedients permitted by the standard were applied:

For the Santander UK group, the application of IFRS 16 at 1 January 2019 increased property, plant and equipment by £210m (being the net increase in ROU assets referred to above), reduced other assets by £12m and increased other liabilities by £181m from recognising lease liabilities. In addition, we also increased provisions by £17m (see Note 27). There was no impact on shareholders' equity. For the Company, the application of IFRS 16 at 1 January 2019 increased property, plant and equipment by £191m, reduced other assets by £12m and increased other liabilities by £162m from recognising lease liabilities. In addition, we also increased provisions by £17m. There was no impact on shareholders' equity. The amount of the lease liabilities above differed from the amount of operating lease commitments at 31 December 2018 and is reconciled as follows:

In addition to the choice of transition approach, the determination of the discount rate is the most significant area of judgement. The Santander UK group applies an incremental borrowing rate (based on 3-month GBP LIBOR plus a credit spread to reflect the cost of raising unsecured funding in the wholesale markets) appropriate to the relevant remaining lease term.

IAS 12

The Santander UK group has also applied the amendment to IAS 12 'Income Taxes' (part of 'Annual Improvements to IFRS Standards 2015-2017 Cycle') in these Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements. The amendment clarifies that the income tax consequences of dividends on financial instruments classified as equity should be recognised according to where the past transactions or events that generated distributable profits were recognised. This means that, to the extent that profits from which dividends on equity instruments were recognised in the income statement, the income tax consequences would be similarly recognised in the same statement. The amendment, which has been applied retrospectively, reduces the effective tax rate where the tax relief on dividends in respect of other equity instruments is recognised in the income statement rather than as a separate line item within the statement of changes in equity. Overall, there was no impact on shareholders' equity for the Santander UK group or the Company from applying the amendment to IAS 12 at 1 January 2019. For the Santander UK group, the impact of the amendment to IAS 12 on the income statement for the year ended 31 December 2019 was to reduce tax on profit by £39m (2018: £42m, 2017: £46m), increasing profit after tax by the same amount. For the Company, the impact of the amendment to IAS 12 on the income statement for the year ended 31 December 2019 was to reduce tax on profit by £39m (2018: £42m, 2017: £46m), increasing profit after tax by the same amount.

London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (LIBOR) reform

In September 2019, the IASB issued Interest Rate Benchmark Reform: Amendments to IFRS 9 'Financial Instruments', IAS 39 'Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement' and IFRS 7 'Financial Instruments: Disclosure'. Santander UK applies IAS 39 hedge accounting so the amendments to IFRS 9 do not apply. The IAS 39 amendments provide temporary exceptions from applying specific hedge accounting requirements to hedging relationships that are directly affected by the reform to LIBOR and other Interbank Offered Rates, hereinafter referred to as LIBOR reform. The exceptions have the effect that LIBOR reform should not generally cause hedge accounting to terminate, however any hedge ineffectiveness continues to be recognised in the income statement. The exceptions end at the earlier of:

The IAS 39 amendments apply to all hedging relationships directly affected by uncertainties related to LIBOR reform and must be applied for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2020. However, following their endorsement for use in the European Union, Santander UK has elected to apply the IAS 39 and IFRS 7 amendments in the preparation of the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2019. The exceptions given by the IAS 39 amendments mean that LIBOR reform had no impact on hedge relationships for affected hedges at and for the year ended 31 December 2019. The main assumptions or judgements made by Santander UK in applying the IAS 39 amendments are outlined below.

Details of the significant interest rate benchmarks to which hedging relationships are exposed, the extent of risk exposure that is affected by LIBOR reform, and how Santander UK's transition to alternative benchmark interest rates is being managed, are disclosed in the Banking market risk section of the Risk review. The nominal amount of the hedging instruments in hedging relationships directly affected by uncertainties related to LIBOR reform is disclosed in Note 11.

Future accounting developments

At 31 December 2019, for the Santander UK group, there were no significant new or revised standards and interpretations, and amendments thereto, which have been issued but which are not yet effective or which have otherwise not been early adopted where permitted.

Comparative information

As required by US public company reporting requirements, these financial statements include two years of comparative information for the consolidated income statement, consolidated statement of comprehensive income, consolidated statement of changes in equity, consolidated statement of cash flows and related Notes.

Consolidation

a) Subsidiaries

The Consolidated Financial Statements incorporate the financial statements of the Company and entities (including structured entities) controlled by it and its subsidiaries. Control is achieved where the Company (i) has power over the investee; (ii) is exposed, or has rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the investee; and (iii) has the ability to use its power to affect its returns. The Company reassesses whether or not it controls an investee if facts and circumstances indicate that there are changes to one or more of the three elements of control listed above. When the Company has less than a majority of the voting rights of an investee, it has power over the investee when the voting rights are sufficient to give it the practical ability to direct the relevant activities of the investee unilaterally. The Company considers all relevant facts and circumstances in assessing whether or not the Company's voting rights in an investee are sufficient to give it power, including:

Consolidation of a subsidiary begins when the Company obtains control over the subsidiary and ceases when the Company loses control of the subsidiary. Specifically, the results of a subsidiary acquired or disposed of during the year are included in the consolidated income statement and the consolidated statement of comprehensive income from the date the Company gains control until the date when the Company ceases to control the subsidiary. Inter-company transactions, balances and unrealised gains on transactions between Santander UK group companies are eliminated; unrealised losses are also eliminated unless the cost cannot be recovered.

The acquisition method of accounting is used to account for the acquisition of subsidiaries which meet the definition of a business. The cost of an acquisition is measured at the fair value of the assets given up, shares issued or liabilities undertaken at the date of acquisition. Acquisition-related costs are expensed as incurred. The excess of the cost of acquisition, as well as the fair value of any interest previously held, over the fair value of the Santander UK group's share of the identifiable net assets of the subsidiary at the date of acquisition is recorded as goodwill. When the Santander UK group loses control of a subsidiary, the profit or loss on disposal is calculated as the difference between (i) the aggregate of the fair value of the consideration received and the fair value of any retained interest and (ii) the previous carrying amount of the assets (including goodwill), less liabilities of the subsidiary and any non-controlling interests. Amounts previously recognised in other comprehensive income in relation to the subsidiary are accounted for (i.e. reclassified to profit or loss or transferred directly to retained earnings) in the same manner as would be required if the relevant assets or liabilities are disposed of. The fair value of any investment retained in a former subsidiary at the date when control is lost is regarded as the fair value on initial recognition for subsequent accounting under IFRS 9 or, when applicable, the costs on initial recognition of an investment in an associate or joint venture.

Business combinations between entities under common control (i.e. fellow subsidiaries of Banco Santander SA, the ultimate parent) are outside the scope of IFRS 3 - 'Business Combinations', and there is no other guidance for such transactions under IFRS. The Santander UK group elects to account for business combinations between entities under common control at their book values in the acquired entity by including the acquired entity's results from the date of the business combination and not restating comparatives. Reorganisations of entities within the Santander UK group are also accounted for at their book values.

Interests in subsidiaries are eliminated during the preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements. Interests in subsidiaries in the Company unconsolidated financial statements are held at cost subject to impairment.

b) Joint ventures

Joint ventures are joint arrangements whereby the parties that have joint control of the arrangement have rights to its net assets. Joint control is the contractually agreed sharing of control of an arrangement, which exists only when decisions about the relevant activities require unanimous consent of the parties sharing control. Accounting policies of joint ventures have been aligned to the extent there are differences from the Santander UK group's policies. Investments in joint ventures are accounted for by the equity method of accounting and are initially recorded at cost and adjusted each year to reflect the Santander UK group's share of their post-acquisition results. When the Santander UK group's share of losses of a joint venture exceed its interest in that joint venture, the Santander UK group discontinues recognising its share of further losses. Further losses are recognised only to the extent that the Santander UK group has incurred legal or constructive obligations or made payments on behalf of the joint venture.

Foreign currency translation

Items included in the financial statements of each entity in the Santander UK group are measured using the currency that best reflects the economic substance of the underlying events and circumstances relevant to that entity (the functional currency). The Consolidated Financial Statements are presented in sterling, which is the functional currency of the Company.

Income statements and cash flows of foreign entities are translated into the Santander UK group's presentation currency at average exchange rates for the year and their balance sheets are translated at the exchange rates ruling on 31 December. Exchange differences on the translation of the net investment in foreign entities are recognised in other comprehensive income. When a foreign entity is sold, such exchange differences are recognised in the income statement as part of the gain or loss on sale.

Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency of the entity involved at the exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the transactions. Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of such transactions and from the translation of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are recognised in the income statement unless recognised in other comprehensive income in connection with a cash flow hedge. Non-monetary items denominated in a foreign currency measured at historical cost are not retranslated. Exchange rate differences arising on non-monetary items measured at fair value are recognised in the consolidated income statement except for differences arising on equity securities measured at fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI) (2017: available-for-sale asset measured at fair value), which are recognised in other comprehensive income.

Revenue recognition

a) Interest income and expense

Interest and similar income comprises interest income on financial assets measured at amortised cost, investments in debt instruments measured at FVOCI (2017: available-for-sale measured at fair value) and interest income on hedging derivatives. Interest expense and similar charges comprises interest expense on financial liabilities measured at amortised cost, and interest expense on hedging derivatives. Interest income on financial assets measured at amortised cost, investments in debt instruments measured at FVOCI (2017: available-for-sale measured at fair value) and interest expense on financial liabilities other than those at fair value through profit or loss (FVTPL) is determined using the effective interest rate method.

The effective interest rate is the rate that discounts the estimated future cash payments or receipts over the expected life of the instrument or, when appropriate, a shorter period, to the gross carrying amount of the financial asset (i.e. its amortised cost before any impairment allowance) or to the amortised cost of a financial liability. When calculating the effective interest rate, the future cash flows are estimated after considering all the contractual terms of the instrument excluding expected credit losses. The calculation includes all amounts paid or received by the Santander UK group that are an integral part of the overall return, direct incremental transaction costs related to the acquisition, issue or disposal of the financial instrument and all other premiums or discounts.

Interest income is calculated by applying the effective interest rate to the gross carrying amount of financial assets, except for financial assets that have subsequently become credit-impaired (or 'Stage 3'), for which interest revenue is calculated by applying the effective interest rate to their amortised cost (i.e. net of the ECL provision). For more information on stage allocations of credit risk exposures, see 'Significant increase in credit risk' in the 'Santander UK group level - credit risk management' section of the Risk Review.

b) Fee and commission income and expense

Fees and commissions that are not an integral part of the effective interest rate are recognised when the service is performed. Most fee and commission income is recognised at a point in time. Certain commitment, upfront and management fees are recognised over time but are not material. For retail and corporate products, fee and commission income consists principally of collection services fees, commission on foreign currencies, commission and other fees received from retailers for processing credit card transactions, fees received from other credit card issuers for providing cash advances for their customers through the Santander UK group's branch and ATM networks, annual fees payable by credit card holders and fees for non-banking financial products.

For insurance products, fee and commission income consists principally of commissions and profit share arising from the sale of building and contents insurance and life protection insurance. Commissions arising from the sale of buildings and contents insurance are recognised over the period of insurance cover, adjusted to take account of cancelled policies. Profit share income from the sale of buildings and contents insurance which is not subject to any adjustment is recognised when the profit share income is earned. Commissions and profit share arising from the sale of life protection insurance is subject to adjustment for cancellations of policies within 3 years from inception.

Fee and commission income which forms an integral part of the effective interest rate of a financial instrument (for example certain loan commitment fees) is recognised as an adjustment to the effective interest rate and recorded in 'Interest income'.

c) Dividend income

Except for equity securities classified as trading assets or financial assets held at fair value through profit or loss, described below, dividend income is recognised when the right to receive payment is established. This is the ex-dividend date for equity securities.

d) Net trading and other income

Net trading and other income includes all gains and losses from changes in the fair value of financial assets and liabilities held at fair value through profit or loss (comprising financial assets and liabilities held for trading, trading derivatives and other financial assets and liabilities at fair value through profit or loss), together with related interest income, expense, dividends and changes in fair value of any derivatives managed in conjunction with these assets and liabilities. Changes in fair value of derivatives in a fair value hedging relationship are also recognised in net trading and other income. Net trading and other income also includes income from operating lease assets, and profits and losses arising on the sales of property, plant and equipment and subsidiary undertakings.

Borrowing costs

Borrowing costs directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of qualifying assets, including computer software, which are assets that necessarily take a substantial period of time to develop for their intended use, are added to the cost of those assets, until the assets are substantially ready for their intended use. All other borrowing costs are recognised in profit or loss in the period in which they occur.

Pensions and other post-retirement benefits

a) Defined benefit schemes

A defined benefit scheme is a pension scheme that guarantees an amount of pension benefit to be provided, usually as a function of one or more factors such as age, years of service or compensation. Pension costs are charged to 'Administration expenses', within the line item 'Operating expenses before impairment losses, provisions and charges' with the net interest on the defined benefit asset or liability included within 'Net interest income' in the income statement. The asset or liability recognised in respect of defined benefit pension schemes is the present value of the defined benefit obligation at the balance sheet date, less the fair value of scheme assets. The defined benefit obligation is calculated annually by independent actuaries using the projected unit credit method. The assets of the schemes are measured at their fair values at the balance sheet date.

The present value of the defined benefit obligation is estimated by projecting forward the growth in current accrued pension benefits to reflect inflation and salary growth to the date of pension payment, then discounted to present value using the yield applicable to high-quality AA rated corporate bonds of the same currency and which have terms to maturity closest to the terms of the scheme liabilities, adjusted where necessary to match those terms. In determining the value of scheme liabilities, demographic and financial assumptions are made by management about life expectancy, inflation, discount rates, pension increases and earnings growth, based on past experience and future expectations. Financial assumptions are based on market conditions at the balance sheet date and can generally be derived objectively.

Demographic assumptions require a greater degree of estimation and judgement to be applied to externally derived data. Any surplus or deficit of scheme assets over liabilities is recognised in the balance sheet as an asset (surplus) or liability (deficit). An asset is only recognised to the extent that the surplus can be recovered through reduced contributions in the future or through refunds from the scheme. The income statement includes the net interest income/expense on the net defined benefit liability/asset, current service cost and any past service cost and gain or loss on settlement. Remeasurement of defined benefit pension schemes, including return on scheme assets (excludes amounts included in net interest), actuarial gains and losses (arising from changes in demographic assumptions, the impact of scheme experience and changes in financial assumptions) and the effect of the changes to the asset ceiling (if applicable), are recognised in other comprehensive income. Remeasurement recognised in other comprehensive income will not be reclassified to the income statement. Past-service costs are recognised as an expense in the income statement at the earlier of when the scheme amendment or curtailment occurs and when the related restructuring costs or termination benefits are recognised. Curtailments include the impact of significant reductions in the number of employees covered by a scheme, or amendments to the terms of the scheme so that a significant element of future service will no longer qualify for benefits or will qualify only for reduced benefits. Curtailment gains and losses on businesses that meet the definition of discontinued operations are included in profit or loss for the year from discontinued operations. Gains and losses on settlements are recognised when the settlement occurs.

b) Defined contribution plans

A defined contribution plan is a pension scheme under which the Santander UK group pays fixed contributions as they fall due into a separate entity (a fund). The pension paid to the member at retirement is based on the amount in the separate fund for each member. The Santander UK group has no legal or constructive obligations to pay further contributions into the fund to 'top up' benefits to a certain guaranteed level. The regular contributions constitute net periodic costs for the year in which they are due and are included in staff costs within Operating expenses in the income statement.

c) Post-retirement medical benefit plans

Post-retirement medical benefit liabilities are determined using the projected unit credit method, with actuarial valuations updated at each year-end. The expected benefit costs are accrued over the period of employment using an accounting methodology similar to that for the defined benefit pension scheme.

Share-based payments

The Santander UK group engages in cash-settled and equity-settled share-based payment transactions in respect of services received from certain of its employees. Shares of the Santander UK group's parent, Banco Santander SA are purchased in the open market by the Santander UK group (for the Employee Sharesave scheme) or are purchased by Banco Santander SA or another Banco Santander subsidiary (including awards granted under the Long-Term Incentive Plan and the Deferred Shares Bonus Plan) to satisfy share options or awards as they vest.

Options granted under the Employee Sharesave scheme are accounted for as cash-settled share-based payment transactions. Awards granted under the Long-Term Incentive Plan and Deferred Shares Bonus Plan are accounted for as equity-settled share-based payment transactions.

The fair value of the services received is measured by reference to the fair value of the shares or share options initially on the date of the grant for both the cash and equity settled share-based payments and then subsequently at each reporting date for the cash-settled share-based payments. The cost of the employee services received in respect of the shares or share options granted is recognised in the income statement in administration expenses over the period that the services are received i.e. the vesting period.

A liability equal to the portion of the services received is recognised at the fair value determined at each balance sheet date for cash-settled share-based payments. A liability equal to the amount to be reimbursed to Banco Santander SA is recognised at the fair value determined at the grant date for equity-settled share-based payments.

The fair value of the options granted under the Employee Sharesave scheme is determined using an option pricing model, which takes into account the exercise price of the option, the current share price, the risk free interest rate, the expected volatility of the Banco Santander SA share price over the life of the option and the dividend growth rate. The fair value of the awards granted for the Long-Term Incentive Plan was determined at the grant date using an option pricing model, which takes into account the share price at grant date, the risk free interest rate, the expected volatility of the Banco Santander SA share price over the life of the award and the dividend growth rate. Vesting conditions included in the terms of the grant are not taken into account in estimating fair value, except for those that include terms related to market conditions. Non-market vesting conditions are taken into account by adjusting the number of shares or share options included in the measurement of the cost of employee service so that, ultimately, the amount recognised in the income statement reflects the number of vested shares or share options. Where vesting conditions are related to market conditions, the charges for the services received are recognised regardless of whether or not the market-related vesting conditions are met, provided that the non-market vesting conditions are met.

Where an award has been modified, as a minimum, the expense of the original award continues to be recognised as if it had not been modified. Where the effect of a modification is to increase the fair value of an award or increase the number of equity instruments, the incremental fair value of the award or incremental fair value of the modification of the award is recognised in addition to the expense of the original grant, measured at the date of modification, over the modified vesting period.

Cancellations in the vesting period are treated as an acceleration of vesting, and recognised immediately for the amount that would otherwise have been recognised for services over the vesting period.

Goodwill and other intangible assets

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition, as well as the fair value of any interest previously held, over the fair value of the share of the identifiable net assets of the acquired subsidiary, associate, or business at the date of acquisition. Goodwill on the acquisition of subsidiaries and businesses is included in intangible assets. Goodwill on acquisitions of associates is included as part of investment in associates. Goodwill is tested for impairment annually, or more frequently when events or changes in circumstances dictate, and carried at cost less accumulated impairment losses. Gains and losses on the disposal of an entity or business include the carrying amount of goodwill relating to the entity or business sold.

Other intangible assets are recognised if they arise from contractual or other legal rights or if they are capable of being separated or divided from the Santander UK group and sold, transferred, licensed, rented or exchanged. The value of such intangible assets is amortised on a straight-line basis over their useful economic life of three to seven years. Other intangible assets are reviewed annually for impairment indicators and tested for impairment where indicators are present.

Software development costs are capitalised when they are direct costs associated with identifiable and unique software products that are expected to provide future economic benefits and the cost of those products can be measured reliably. These costs include payroll, materials, services and directly attributable overheads. Internally developed software meeting these criteria and externally purchased software are classified in intangible assets on the balance sheet and amortised on a straight-line basis over their useful life of three to seven years, unless the software is an integral part of the related computer hardware, in which case it is treated as property, plant and equipment as described below. Capitalisation of costs ceases when the software is capable of operating as intended. Costs of maintaining software are expensed as incurred.

Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment include owner-occupied properties (including leasehold properties), office fixtures and equipment and computer software. Property, plant and equipment also includes operating leases where the Santander UK group is the lessor and right-of-use assets where the Santander UK group is the lessee, as described further in 'Leases' below. Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses. A review for indications of impairment is carried out at each reporting date. Gains and losses on disposal are determined by reference to the carrying amount and are reported in net trading and other income. Repairs and renewals are charged to the income statement when the expenditure is incurred. Internally developed software meeting the criteria set out in 'Goodwill and other intangible assets' above and externally purchased software are classified in property, plant and equipment where the software is an integral part of the related computer hardware (for example operating system of a computer). Classes of property, plant and equipment are depreciated on a straight-line basis over their useful life, as follows:

Depreciation is not charged on freehold land and assets under construction. Depreciation on operating lease assets where the Santander UK group is the lessor is described in 'Leases' below.

Financial instruments

a) Initial recognition and measurement

Financial assets and liabilities are initially recognised when the Santander UK group becomes a party to the contractual terms of the instrument. The Santander UK group determines the classification of its financial assets and liabilities at initial recognition and measures a financial asset or financial liability at its fair value plus or minus, in the case of a financial asset or financial liability not at FVTPL, transaction costs that are incremental and directly attributable to the acquisition or issue of the financial asset or financial liability. Transaction costs of financial assets and financial liabilities carried at FVTPL are expensed in profit or loss. Immediately after initial recognition, an expected credit loss (ECL) allowance is recognised for financial assets measured at amortised cost and investments in debt instruments measured at FVOCI.

A regular way purchase is a purchase of a financial asset under a contract whose terms require delivery of the asset within the timeframe established generally by regulation or convention in the market place concerned. Regular way purchases of financial assets classified as loans and receivables, issues of equity or financial liabilities measured at amortised cost are recognised on settlement date; all other regular way purchases and issues are recognised on trade date.

b) Financial assets and liabilities

i) Classification and subsequent measurement

The Santander UK group classifies its financial assets in the measurement categories of amortised cost, FVOCI and FVTPL.

Financial assets and financial liabilities are classified as FVTPL where there is a requirement to do so or where they are otherwise designated at FVTPL on initial recognition. Financial assets and financial liabilities which are required to be held at FVTPL include:

Financial assets and financial liabilities are classified as held for trading if they are derivatives or if they are acquired or incurred principally for the purpose of selling or repurchasing in the near-term, or form part of a portfolio of financial instruments that are managed together and for which there is evidence of short-term profit taking.

In certain circumstances, other financial assets and financial liabilities are designated at FVTPL where this results in more relevant information. This may arise because it significantly reduces a measurement inconsistency that would otherwise arise from measuring assets or liabilities or recognising the gains or losses on them on a different basis, where the assets and liabilities are managed and their performance evaluated on a fair value basis or, in the case of financial liabilities, where it contains one or more embedded derivatives which are not closely related to the host contract.

The classification and measurement requirements for financial asset debt and equity instruments and financial liabilities are set out below.

Debt instruments are those instruments that meet the definition of a financial liability from the issuer's perspective, such as loans and government and corporate bonds. Classification and subsequent measurement of debt instruments depend on the Santander UK group's business model for managing the asset, and the cash flow characteristics of the asset.

Business model

The business model reflects how the Santander UK group manages the assets in order to generate cash flows and, specifically, whether the Santander UK group's objective is solely to collect the contractual cash flows from the assets or is to collect both the contractual cash flows and cash flows arising from the sale of the assets. If neither of these is applicable, such as where the financial assets are held for trading purposes, then the financial assets are classified as part of an 'other' business model and measured at FVTPL. Factors considered in determining the business model for a group of assets include past experience on how the cash flows for these assets were collected, how the assets' performance is evaluated and reported to key management personnel, and how risks are assessed and managed.

SPPI

Where the business model is to hold assets to collect contractual cash flows or to collect contractual cash flows and sell, the Santander UK group assesses whether the assets' cash flows represent SPPI. In making this assessment, the Santander UK group considers whether the contractual cash flows are consistent with a basic lending arrangement (i.e. interest includes only consideration for the time value of money, credit risk, other basic lending risks and a profit margin that is consistent with a basic lending arrangement). Where the contractual terms introduce exposure to risk or volatility that is inconsistent with a basic lending arrangement, the related asset is classified and measured at FVTPL.

Financial assets with embedded derivatives are considered in their entirety when determining whether their cash flows are SPPI.

Based on these factors, the Santander UK group classifies its debt instruments into one of the following measurement categories:

The Santander UK group reclassifies financial assets when and only when its business model for managing those assets changes. The reclassification takes place from the start of the first reporting period following the change. Such changes are expected to be very infrequent.

Equity instruments are instruments that meet the definition of equity from the issuer's perspective, being instruments that do not contain a contractual obligation to pay cash and that evidence a residual interest in the issuer's net assets. All equity investments are subsequently measured at FVTPL, except where management has elected, at initial recognition, to irrevocably designate an equity investment at FVOCI. When this election is used, fair value gains and losses are recognised in OCI and are not subsequently reclassified to profit or loss, including on disposal. ECLs (and reversal of ECLs) are not reported separately from other changes in fair value. Dividends, when representing a return on such investments, continue to be recognised in profit or loss as other income when the right to receive payments is established. Gains and losses on equity investments at FVTPL are included in the 'Net trading and other income' line in the income statement.

Financial liabilities are classified as subsequently measured at amortised cost, except for:

Contracts involving the receipt of cash on which customers receive an index-linked return are accounted for as equity index-linked deposits. The principal products are Capital Guaranteed/Protected Products which give the customers a limited participation in the upside growth of an equity index. In the event the index falls in price, a cash principal element is guaranteed/protected. The equity index-linked deposits contain embedded derivatives. These embedded derivatives, in combination with the principal cash deposit element, are designed to replicate the investment performance profile tailored to the return agreed in the contracts with customers. The cash principal element is accounted for as deposits by customers at amortised cost. The embedded derivatives are separated from the host instrument and are separately accounted for as derivatives.

Securities sold subject to a commitment to repurchase them at a predetermined price (repos) under which substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership are retained by the Santander UK group remain on the balance sheet and a liability is recorded in respect of the consideration received. Securities purchased under commitments to resell (reverse repos) are not recognised on the balance sheet and the consideration paid is recorded as an asset. The difference between the sale and repurchase price is treated as trading income in the income statement, except where the repo is not treated as part of the trading book, in which case the difference is recorded in interest income or expense.

Securities lending and borrowing transactions are generally secured, with collateral in the form of securities or cash advanced or received. Securities lent or borrowed are not reflected on the balance sheet. Collateral in the form of cash received or advanced is recorded as a deposit or a loan. Collateral in the form of securities is not recognised.

The fair value of a financial instrument on initial recognition is generally its transaction price (that is, the fair value of the consideration given or received). However, sometimes the fair value will be based on other observable current market transactions in the same instrument, without modification or repackaging, or on a valuation technique whose variables include only data from observable markets, such as interest rate yield curves, option volatilities and currency rates. When such evidence exists, the Santander UK group recognises a trading gain or loss at inception (Day One gain or loss), being the difference between the transaction price and the fair value. When significant unobservable parameters are used, the entire Day One gain or loss is deferred and is recognised in the income statement over the life of the transaction until the transaction matures, is closed out, the valuation inputs become observable or an offsetting transaction is entered into.

ii) Impairment of debt instrument financial assets

The Santander UK group assesses on a forward-looking basis the ECL associated with its debt instrument assets carried at amortised cost and FVOCI and with the exposure arising from financial guarantee contracts and loan commitments. The Santander UK group recognises a loss allowance for such losses at each reporting date. The measurement of ECL reflects:

We typically group instruments and assess them for impairment collectively where they share risk characteristics (as described in Retail Banking - credit risk management in the Risk review) using one or more statistical models. Where we have used internal capital or similar models as the basis for our IFRS 9 models, this typically results in a large number of relatively small homogenous groups which are determined by the permutations of the underlying characteristics in the statistical models. We calculate separate collective provisions for instruments in Stages 1, 2 and 3 where the instrument is not individually assessed, as described below.

We assess significant Stage 3 cases individually. We do this for CIB and Corporate & Commercial Banking cases, but not for Business Banking cases in Retail Banking which we assess collectively. To calculate the estimated loss, we estimate the future cash flows under several scenarios each of which uses case-specific factors and circumstances. We then probability-weight the net present value of the cash flows under each scenario to arrive at a weighted average provision requirement. We update our assessment process every quarter and more frequently if there are changes in circumstances that might affect the scenarios, cash flows or probabilities we apply.

For more on how ECL is calculated, see the Credit risk section of the Risk review.

For secured loans, a write-off is only made when all collection procedures have been exhausted and the security has been sold and/or a claim made on any mortgage indemnity guarantee or other insurance. In the corporate portfolio, there may be occasions where a write-off occurs for other reasons, such as following a consensual restructure or refinancing of the debt or where the debt is sold for strategic reasons into the secondary market at a value lower than its face value.

There is no threshold based on past due status beyond which all secured loans are written off as there can be significant variations in the time needed to enforce possession and sale of the security, especially due to the different legal frameworks that apply in different regions of the UK. For unsecured loans, a write-off is only made when all internal avenues of collecting the debt have been exhausted. Where appropriate the debt is passed over to external collection agencies. A past due threshold is applied to unsecured debt where accounts that are 180 days past due are written off unless there is a dispute awaiting resolution. Contact is made with customers with the aim to achieve a realistic and sustainable repayment arrangement. Litigation and/or enforcement of security is usually carried out only when the steps described above have been undertaken without success.

All write-offs are assessed / made on a case-by-case basis, taking account of the exposure at the date of write-off, after accounting for the value from any collateral or insurance held against the loan. The exception to this is in cases where fraud has occurred, where the exposure is written off once investigations have been completed and the probability of recovery is minimal. The time span between discovery and write-off will be short and may not result in an impairment loss allowance being raised. The write-off policy is regularly reviewed. Write-offs are charged against previously established loss allowances.

Recoveries of credit impairment losses are not included in the impairment loss allowance, but are taken to income and offset against credit impairment losses. Recoveries of credit impairment losses are classified in the income statement as 'Credit impairment losses'.

iii) Modifications of financial assets

The treatment of a renegotiation or modification of the contractual cash flows of a financial asset normally depends upon whether the renegotiation or modification is due to financial difficulties of the borrower or for other commercial reasons.

Any other contractual modifications, such as where a regulatory authority imposes a change in certain contractual terms or due to legal reasons, are assessed on a case-by-case basis to establish whether or not the financial asset should be derecognised.

iv) Derecognition other than on a modification

Financial assets are derecognised when the rights to receive cash flows have expired or the Santander UK group has transferred its contractual right to receive the cash flows from the assets and either: (1) substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred; or (2) the Santander UK group has neither retained nor transferred substantially all of the risks and rewards, but has transferred control. Financial liabilities are derecognised when extinguished, cancelled or expired.

c) Financial guarantee contracts and loan commitments

Financial guarantee contracts are contracts that require the issuer to make specified payments to reimburse the holder for a loss it incurs because a specified debtor fails to make payments when due, in accordance with the terms of a debt instrument. Such financial guarantees are given to banks, financial institutions and others on behalf of customers to secure loans, overdrafts and other banking facilities.

Financial guarantee contracts are initially measured at fair value and subsequently measured at the higher of the amount of the loss allowance, and the premium received on initial recognition less income recognised in accordance with the principles of IFRS 15. Loan commitments are measured as the amount of the loss allowance (determined in accordance with IFRS 9 as described in Credit risk section of the Risk review). The Santander UK group has not provided any commitment to provide loans at a below-market interest rate, or that can be settled net in cash or by delivering or issuing another financial instrument.

For financial guarantee contracts and loan commitments, the loss allowance is recognised as a provision and charged to credit impairment losses in the income statement. The loss allowance in respect of revolving facilities is classified in loans and advances to customers to the extent of any drawn balances. The loss allowance in respect of undrawn amounts is classified in provisions. When amounts are drawn, any related loss allowance is transferred from provisions to loans and advances to customers.

Derivative financial instruments (derivatives)

Derivatives are contracts or agreements whose value is derived from one or more underlying indices or asset values inherent in the contract or agreement, which require no or little initial net investment and are settled at a future date. Transactions are undertaken in interest rate, cross currency, equity, residential property and other index-related swaps, forwards, caps, floors, swaptions, as well as credit default and total return swaps, equity index contracts and exchange traded interest rate futures, and equity index options.

Derivatives are held for risk management purposes. Derivatives are classified as held for trading unless they are designated as being in a hedge accounting relationship. The Santander UK group chooses to designate certain derivatives as in a hedging relationship if they meet specific criteria, as further described in 'Hedge accounting' below.

Derivatives are recognised initially (on the date on which a derivative contract is entered into), and are subsequently remeasured, at their fair value. Fair values of exchange-traded derivatives are obtained from quoted market prices. Fair values of over-the-counter derivatives are estimated using valuation techniques, including discounted cash flow and option pricing models.

Certain derivatives may be embedded in hybrid contracts, such as the conversion option in a convertible bond. If the hybrid contract contains a host that is a financial asset, then the Santander UK group assesses the entire contract as described in the financial asset section above for classification and measurement purposes. Otherwise, embedded derivatives are treated as separate derivatives when their economic characteristics and risks are not closely related to those of the host contract; the terms of the embedded derivative would meet the definition of a stand-alone derivative if they were contained in a separate contract; and the combined contract is not held for trading or designated at fair value. These embedded derivatives are measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognised in the income statement.

Contracts containing embedded derivatives are not subsequently reassessed for separation unless either there has been a change in the terms of the contract which significantly modifies the cash flows (in which case the contract is reassessed at the time of modification) or the contract has been reclassified (in which case the contract is reassessed at the time of reclassification).

All derivatives are carried as assets when their fair value is positive and as liabilities when their fair value is negative, except where netting is permitted. The method of recognising fair value gains and losses depends on whether derivatives are held for trading or are designated as hedging instruments and, if the latter, the nature of the risks being hedged. Gains and losses from changes in the fair value of derivatives held for trading are recognised in the income statement, and included within net trading and other income.

Offsetting financial assets and liabilities

Financial assets and liabilities including derivatives are offset and the net amount reported in the balance sheet when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis, or realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously. The Santander UK group is party to a number of arrangements, including master netting arrangements under industry standard agreements which facilitate netting of transactions in jurisdictions where netting agreements are recognised and have legal force. The netting arrangements do not generally result in an offset of balance sheet assets and liabilities for accounting purposes, as transactions are usually settled on a gross basis.

Hedge accounting

The Santander UK group applies hedge accounting to represent, to the maximum possible extent permitted under accounting standards, the economic effects of its risk management strategies. Derivatives are used to hedge exposures to interest rates, exchange rates and certain indices such as retail price indices.

At the time a financial instrument is designated as a hedge (i.e. at the inception of the hedge), the Santander UK group formally documents the relationship between the hedging instrument(s) and hedged item(s), its risk management objective and strategy for undertaking the hedge. The documentation includes the identification of each hedging instrument and respective hedged item, the nature of the risk being hedged (including the benchmark interest rate being hedged in a hedge of interest rate risk) and how the hedging instrument's effectiveness in offsetting the exposure to changes in the hedged item's fair value attributable to the hedged risk is to be assessed. Accordingly, the Santander UK group formally assesses, both at the inception of the hedge and on an ongoing basis, whether the hedging derivatives have been and will be highly effective in offsetting changes in the fair value attributable to the hedged risk during the period that the hedge is designated. A hedge is normally regarded as highly effective if, at inception and throughout its life, the Santander UK group can expect, and actual results indicate, that changes in the fair value or cash flow of the hedged items are effectively offset by changes in the fair value or cash flow of the hedging instrument. If at any point it is concluded that it is no longer highly effective in achieving its documented objective, hedge accounting is discontinued.

Where derivatives are held for risk management purposes, and when transactions meet the required criteria for documentation and hedge effectiveness, the derivatives may be designated as either: (i) hedges of the change in fair value of recognised assets or liabilities or firm commitments (fair value hedges); (ii) hedges of the variability in highly probable future cash flows attributable to a recognised asset or liability, or a forecast transaction (cash flow hedges); or (iii) a hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation (net investment hedges). The Santander UK group applies fair value and cash flow hedge accounting, but not hedging of a net investment in a foreign operation.

a) Fair value hedge accounting

Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and qualify as fair value hedges are recorded in the income statement, together with the changes in the fair value of the hedged asset or liability that are attributable to the hedged risk. Where the hedged item is measured at amortised cost, the fair value changes due to the hedged risk adjust the carrying amount of the hedged asset or liability. Changes in the fair value of portfolio hedged items are presented separately in the consolidated balance sheet in macro hedge of interest rate risk and recognised in the income statement within net trading and other income. If the hedge no longer meets the criteria for hedge accounting, changes in the fair value of the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk are no longer recognised in the income statement. For fair value hedges of interest rate risk, the cumulative adjustment that has been made to the carrying amount of the hedged item is amortised to the income statement using the effective interest method over the period to maturity. For portfolio hedged items, the cumulative adjustment is amortised to the income statement using the straight line method over the period to maturity.

b) Cash flow hedge accounting

The effective portion of changes in the fair value of qualifying cash flow hedges is recognised in other comprehensive income in the cash flow hedging reserve. The gain or loss relating to the ineffective portion is recognised immediately in the income statement. Amounts accumulated in equity are reclassified to the income statement in the periods in which the hedged item affects profit or loss. When a hedging instrument expires or is sold, or when a hedge no longer meets the criteria for hedge accounting, any cumulative gain or loss existing in equity at that time remains in equity and is recognised in the income statement when the forecast transaction is ultimately recognised in the income statement. When a forecast transaction is no longer expected to occur, the cumulative gain or loss that was reported in equity is immediately transferred to the income statement. The Santander UK group is exposed to cash flow interest rate risk on its floating rate assets, foreign currency risk on its fixed rate debt issuances denominated in foreign currency and equity price risk arises from the Santander UK group operating the Employee Sharesave scheme. Cash flow hedging is used to hedge the variability in cash flows arising from these risks.

Securitisation transactions

The Santander UK group has entered into arrangements where undertakings have issued mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities or have entered into funding arrangements with lenders in order to finance specific loans and advances to customers. As the Santander UK group has retained substantially all the risks and rewards of the underlying assets, such financial instruments continue to be recognised on the balance sheet, and a liability recognised for the proceeds of the funding transaction.

Impairment of non-financial assets

At each balance sheet date, or more frequently when events or changes in circumstances dictate, property plant and equipment (including operating lease assets) and intangible assets (including goodwill) are assessed for indicators of impairment. If indications are present, these assets are subject to an impairment review. The impairment review comprises a comparison of the carrying amount of the asset or cash generating unit with its recoverable amount: the higher of the asset's or cash-generating unit's fair value less costs to sell and its value in use. The cash-generating unit represents the lowest level at which non-financial assets, including goodwill, are monitored for internal management purposes and is not larger than an operating segment.