West.brom 6.15% Regulatory News (WBS)

WEST BROMWICH BUILDING SOCIETY

Announcement of half-year results for the six months

ended 30 September 2013

The West Brom today announces its half-year results, reporting continued progress with its Back to Basics strategy and a further reduction in losses.

Key highlights:

- The Core Tier 1 capital ratio strengthened from 14.1% at 31 March 2013 to 14.5%.

- Operating profit of £6.0m for the six months to 30 September 2013 (30 September 2012: loss of £0.5m).

- Satisfactory Group performance, with pre-tax losses of £5.2m (30 September 2012: £6.7m).

- New residential mortgage product range introduced, receiving circa £150m of applications in the period.

- Attracted some 12,000 new savers, contributing to retail savings inflows of £0.8bn.

- Expanded the funding base through the successful completion of a second residential mortgage backed securitisation.

- Maintained a low reliance on the wholesale markets, with a wholesale funding ratio of 18.7% at 30 September 2013 (31 March 2013: 16.7%).

- Residential mortgages covered 1.11 times by retail deposits.

Jonathan Westhoff, Chief Executive, commented:

The West Brom continues to make satisfactory progress, delivering a further improvement in financial performance and seeing profits return at the operating level.

This performance is encouraging, especially in light of the continued pressure on interest margins from a record low Bank Rate, while our capital position confirms the Society's underlying financial strength.

We have upheld our commitment to members by offering a competitive range of savings, investment and mortgage products. There is an air of confidence gradually returning to the residential property market and this is reflected in increased mortgage lending within the building society sector.

For our part, the West Brom has greatly improved its range of residential mortgages, offering competitive products to new and existing borrowers through branch, direct and intermediary channels.

We also recognise the importance of creating an infrastructure to facilitate business growth. Our recently modernised branch network gives the Society a genuine stand-out presence on local high streets and the service provided through these branches helps members access the support they need to manage their money effectively.

In addition to this we have also secured approval for our plans to construct new head office premises at Providence Place in West Bromwich town centre and appointed the main contractor for the project.

END

ENQUIRIES:

The West Brom 0870 220 7785

Jonathan Westhoff - Chief Executive

Mark Gibbard - Group Finance Director

West Bromwich Building Society

Condensed consolidated

half-yearly financial information

30 September 2013

Chief Executive's BUSINESS Review

Performance

The West Brom once again delivered an improvement in financial performance and upheld its commitment to members by offering a competitive range of savings, investment and mortgage products, coupled with excellent customer service.

In the six months to 30 September 2013, the Society reported an operating profit of £6.0m (30 September 2012: loss of £0.5m) and reduced its loss before tax by 22% to £5.2m (30 September 2012: £6.7m). The Core Tier 1 capital ratio further increased to 14.5% (31 March 2013: 14.1%) confirming the Society's underlying financial strength and the value derived from its balance sheet de-risking programme.

The net interest margin improved to 0.67% (30 September 2012: 0.42%). Although total funding costs remained significantly above their long-run norm, relative to Bank Rate, there was some improvement as a consequence of the slow down in competition for retail funds and the Society's successful completion of a second residential mortgage backed securitisation programme. Encouragingly, there are also signs of increased residential mortgage lending activity and an upward trend in UK house prices. The Society has benefited from these house price movements through its subsidiary, West Bromwich Homes Limited, a residential investment company, which recorded a £2.0m revaluation gain on its property portfolio during the period.

Such positive market sentiment has not translated to the commercial property sector which has experienced another challenging six months. Commercial impairment charges for the half year to 30 September 2013 were £10.0m (30 September 2012: £2.8m), partially offset by £3.7m fair value gains on financial instruments held to economically hedge the impaired loans. The Society remains steadfast in its efforts to reduce the commercial loan book, with balances down 7% to £1.0bn (31 March 2013: £1.1bn). Funds set aside for potential losses on commercial mortgages equate to 7.3% of the current loan book (31 March 2013: 5.7%), with appropriate provisions made wherever factors indicating impairment are identified.

The number of residential mortgages in arrears by more than three months at 30 September 2013 stabilised at 1.92% (31 March 2013: 1.92%). This represents a very encouraging performance given the high levels of unemployment, a contracting mortgage book and a forbearance strategy aligned to the principles of responsible lending. The Society actively seeks to support those borrowers experiencing genuine financial hardship, enabling them to remain in their homes where this is believed to be in their best interests (i.e. where the loss to the customer is not expected to increase over time). Strict credit criteria are in place for all new lending and the quality of the existing prime residential and buy-to-let portfolios remains strong.

Management expenses for the six months to 30 September 2013 were just 1% higher than the first half of 2012/13. Notwithstanding a focus on cost efficiency, the Society recognises the importance of creating an infrastructure to facilitate growth. To this end, we have begun an investment in larger, modern head office premises, due for completion in Spring 2015, and have developed systems which enhance further our mortgage lending capability. During the period, the Society repositioned itself in the mortgage market, expanding the range of market leading products available to new and existing borrowers through branch, direct and intermediary channels. This essential investment in the future, together with additional costs of regulation, and a contracting asset base, contributed to an increased management expenses ratio of 0.75%, compared with 0.66% for the year ended 31 March 2013.

Funding

As a traditional building society, the West Brom is primarily funded by retail deposits. The intense competition for retail savings abated during the period, as lenders were able to access lower cost funding through Government supported schemes and other cheaper sources of wholesale funding. The Society has continued to offer competitive rates to savers and, at 30 September 2013, 81.3% of total shares and borrowings were in the form of retail savings products.

While the wholesale markets are a secondary source of funding compared with retail deposits, some diversification in the funding base is beneficial from a risk management perspective. In May 2013, the Society was successful in raising £380m of cost-effective, long-term secured wholesale funding via a residential mortgage backed securitisation transaction.

The improvement in high funding costs resulted in a net interest margin of 0.67%, up from 0.42% for the six months ended 30 September 2012. Interest receivable, however, remains constrained by the low returns on high quality treasury assets, held for liquidity purposes, and the substantial proportion of mortgage loans linked to Bank Rate.

Liquidity

The Society maintains its prudent approach to liquidity management, holding only securities rated single A or better in its treasury asset portfolio. The West Brom has no direct exposure to any Eurozone sovereign, investing solely in UK and supranational sovereign securities. There were no impairment charges against any treasury investment assets during the period.

The Society's liquidity ratio increased modestly to 20.2% at 30 September 2013 (31 March 2013: 19.8%), remaining comfortably in excess of internal and regulatory limits.

The Group's liquidity portfolio is analysed below:

Capital

Capital is held as the ultimate protection for depositors. The Board sets the internal level of capital required in order to exceed minimum regulatory requirements.

The following table shows the composition of regulatory capital and the capital ratios for the last three reporting periods:

Notes

1. Permanent interest bearing shares include any adjustments for unamortised premiums and discounts.

2. Intangible assets are deducted from general reserves in arriving at capital for regulatory purposes.

3. Certain deductions from capital are required to be allocated, 50% to Tier 1 and 50% to Tier 2 capital. Other deductions are Tier specific.

4. Deduction from the collective provision add back, reflecting the proportion of the provision that is disallowable for capital purposes.

5. Calculated as relevant capital divided by risk weighted assets. Core Tier 1 represents Tier 1 capital excluding permanent interest bearing shares.

The West Brom has established a robust capital position which compares favourably with peers in the UK bank and building society sectors. The Society's Core Tier 1 ratio, a key measure of financial resilience, improved again to 14.5% (31 March 2013: 14.1%) as a result of the planned contraction in risk weighted assets, down 4% in the last six months to £2.7bn.

Principal risks and uncertainties

Effective management of risks and opportunities is essential to achieving the Society's strategic objectives. The Society aims to manage effectively all of the risks that arise from its activities and believes that its approach to risk management reflects an understanding of actual and potential risk exposures, the quantification of the impact of such exposures and the development and implementation of appropriate controls to manage these exposures within the Society's agreed risk appetite.

The Society's activities are governed by its constitution, principles and values. The Directors have also agreed a set of statements which describe the Board's risk appetite in terms of a number of key risk categories: business, credit, capital, liquidity, market, operational, retail conduct and pension liability. These Risk Appetite Statements drive corporate planning activity, including capital and liquidity planning, as well as providing the basis for key risk measures.

The principal risks and uncertainties which could impact the Society's long-term performance remain those outlined on pages 17 to 20 of the Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2013. There have been no significant changes in the Society's approach to risk management in the six months ended 30 September 2013.

Outlook

The UK has experienced three successive quarters of growth and the housing market is gathering momentum. The UK recovery is, however, still in its early stages with high levels of unemployment, suppressed wages and challenges in the Eurozone and beyond giving uncertainty as to whether economic growth is sustainable. Market commentators have expressed concern over the continuation of recent house price rises, particularly in and around London. The West Brom will continue with its responsible lending policies and prudent approach to capital and liquidity management, such that it has the financial resources to withstand any reversal in the UK domestic recovery. While the underlying credit quality of the Society's residential mortgages is strong, the commercial portfolio is more vulnerable to changing economic conditions and further provisioning for potential losses is likely.

The downward trend in retail funding costs has contributed to an improvement in net interest margin, although interest receipts continue to be constrained by the Society's exposure to the effects of the low interest rate environment and escalating competition in the mortgage markets. Notwithstanding the Monetary Policy Committee's forward guidance, intended to provide some clarity on the trajectory of interest rates, market opinion on the quantum and timing of a rise in Bank Rate varies widely. To maintain support for its saving members, through this extended market disruption, the Group has sought to mitigate the impact of adverse market conditions by increasing the interest income from its non-consumer buy-to-let portfolio with effect from 1 December 2013.

A key development in the regulatory arena has been the separation, in April 2013, of the Financial Services Authority into prudential and conduct counterparts - the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) and Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) respectively. The PRA has an objective to promote the safety and soundness of firms while the FCA seeks to protect and enhance confidence in the UK financial system, making markets work well so that consumers get a fair deal.

The Capital Requirements Directive (CRD) IV package has now been finalised and comes into force on 1 January 2014. CRD IV transposes the new global standards on bank capital (commonly known as the Basel III agreement) into the EU legal framework. Another significant regulatory reform is the Mortgage Market Review (MMR) which aims to deliver a mortgage market that works better for consumers and is sustainable for all participants. The Society is constantly monitoring regulatory developments and is therefore well placed to respond appropriately to regulatory change.

The financial services industry faces increased regulatory and public scrutiny in the wake of PPI mis-selling and, more recently, LIBOR fixing scandals. As a traditional, regional building society, the West Brom is run for the benefit of its members and is committed to acting with integrity in all of its dealings with them. We are confident in our ability to safeguard customer deposits and clear in our priorities to provide quality mortgage, savings and investment products and exceptional customer service.

Jonathan Westhoff

Chief Executive

Forward looking statements

Certain statements in this half-year report are forward looking.  Although the West Brom believes that the expectations reflected in these forward looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that these expectations will prove to be an accurate reflection of actual results. By their nature, all forward looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to future events and circumstances that are beyond the control of the West Brom. As a result, the West Brom's actual future financial condition, business performance and results may differ materially from the plans, goals and expectations expressed or implied in these forward looking statements. Due to such risks and uncertainties the West Brom cautions readers not to place undue reliance on such forward looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update any forward looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Condensed consolidated half-yearly income statement 

for the six months ended 30 September 2013

Condensed consolidated half-yearly statement of comprehensive income

for the six months ended 30 September 2013

Condensed consolidated half-yearly statement of financial position

at 30 September 2013

Condensed consolidated statement of changes in members' interest

for the six months ended 30 September 2013

6 months ended 30 September 2013 (unaudited)

6 months ended 30 September 2012 (unaudited)

Year ended 31 March 2013 (audited)

Under the terms of the profit participating deferred shares (PPDS), 25% of the annual post-tax profits or losses are allocated against the PPDS reserve.

Condensed consolidated half-yearly statement of cash flows

for the six months ended 30 September 2013

For the purposes of the cash flow statement, cash and cash equivalents comprise the following balances with less than 90 days maturity:

The Group is required to maintain certain mandatory balances with the Bank of England which, at 30 September 2013, amounted to £8.4m (30 September 2012: £5.7m and 31 March 2013: £5.5m). The movement in these balances is included within cash flows from operating activities.

Condensed consolidated half-yearly statement of cash flows(continued)

for the six months ended 30 September 2013

\* The condensed consolidated half-yearly statement of cash flows for the six months ended

30 September 2012 has been represented to reflect the current year categorisation, providing a more detailed analysis of cash flows within each section.

Notes to condensed consolidated half-yearly financial information

for the six months ended 30 September 2013

1 General information

These half-yearly financial results do not constitute statutory accounts as defined in section 81A of the Building Societies Act 1986. A copy of the statutory accounts for the year to 31 March 2013 has been delivered to the Financial Conduct Authority and the relevant information in this report has been extracted from these statutory accounts. These accounts have been reported on by the Group's auditors and the report of the auditors was (i) unqualified, and (ii) did not include a reference to any matters to which the auditors drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying their report.

The consolidated half-yearly financial information for the six months to 30 September 2013 and 30 September 2012 is unaudited and has not been reviewed by the Group's auditors.

2 Basis of preparation

This condensed consolidated half-yearly financial report for the half-year ended 30 September 2013 has been prepared in accordance with the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority and with IAS 34, 'Interim financial reporting' as adopted by the European Union. The half-yearly condensed consolidated financial report should be read in conjunction with the Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2013, which have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the European Union.

3 Accounting policies

The accounting policies adopted by the Group in the preparation of its 2013/14 half-yearly financial report and those which the Group currently expects to adopt in its Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2014 are consistent with those disclosed in the Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2013, except for the adoption of new or amended accounting standards described below.

The following new or amended accounting standards, which are relevant to the Group, have been adopted during the six months ended 30 September 2013:

- Amendments to IAS 1, 'Presentation of Financial Statements' - Presentation of Items of Other Comprehensive Income

The amendments require separate presentation within the statement of comprehensive income of items that will potentially be reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent periods and items that will never be reclassified to profit or loss.

The statement of comprehensive income has been updated to meet the requirements of the amended standard with comparative items represented accordingly.

- IAS 19 (revised 2011), 'Employee Benefits'

The revised standard updates the recognition, presentation and disclosure requirements for retirement benefit plans.

For the six months ended 30 September 2013, operating income is £0.2m lower than it would have been prior to the adoption of the revised IAS 19. This difference arises on replacing the interest cost on scheme liabilities and expected return on scheme assets with a single interest income on the net retirement benefit asset, calculated using the discount rate assumption.

If the revised standard had applied in the prior year, other operating income would have been £0.2m and £0.4m lower at 30 September 2012 and 31 March 2013 respectively, with an equivalent increase in other comprehensive income. The comparative figures in the income statement and statement of comprehensive income have not been restated for the adoption of IAS 19 (revised 2011) as the impact on the Society's results would be insignificant. There would be no impact on the Group's net assets or reserves as a consequence of retrospectively applying the revised IAS 19.

- IFRS 13, 'Fair Value Measurement'

The new standard defines fair value and provides a single framework for measuring fair value, replacing existing IFRS guidance in this area.

The application of IFRS 13 has not had a significant financial impact on these condensed financial statements. The additional disclosures required by the new standard, and incorporated into IAS 34, are provided in note 15.

- Amendments to IFRS 7, 'Financial Instruments: Disclosures' - Disclosures - Offsetting Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities

The amendments require new disclosures for financial instruments which are offset in the statement of financial position.

The application of the amendments has had no impact on these condensed financial statements.

4 Business segments

Operating segments are reported in accordance with the internal reporting provided to the Group Board (the chief operating decision maker), which is responsible for allocating resources to the reportable segments and assessing their performance.

The Group has three main business segments:

- Retail - incorporating residential lending, savings, investments and protection;

- Commercial - primarily representing loans for commercial property investment; and

- Property - a portfolio of residential properties for rent.

Central Group operations have been included in Retail and comprise risk management, funding, treasury services, human resources and computer services, none of which constitute a separately reportable segment.

There were no changes to reportable segments during the period.

Transactions between the business segments are carried out at arm's length. The revenue from external parties reported to the Group Board is measured in a manner consistent with that in the consolidated income statement.

Funds are ordinarily allocated between segments, resulting in funding cost transfers disclosed in inter-segment net interest income. Interest charged for these funds is based on the Group's cost of capital. Central administrative costs are also allocated between segments and are disclosed in inter-segment administrative expenses. There are no other material items of income or expense between the business segments.

The Group does not consider its operations to be cyclical or seasonal in nature.

6 months ended 30 September 2013 (unaudited)

6 months ended 30 September 2012 (unaudited)

Year ended 31 March 2013 (audited)

5 Allowance for losses on loans and advances to customers

The charge for the six months ended 30 September 2013 is partially offset by £3.7m fair value gains on financial instruments held to economically hedge impaired loans. These provisions are deducted from the appropriate asset values in the statement of financial position.

6 Provisions for liabilities

Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS)

In common with all regulated UK deposit takers, the Society pays levies to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) to enable the FSCS to meet claims against it. The FSCS levy consists of two parts: a management expenses levy and a compensation levy. The management expenses levy covers the costs of running the scheme and the compensation levy covers the amount of compensation the scheme pays, net of any recoveries it makes using the rights that have been assigned to it. During 2008 and 2009 claims were triggered against the FSCS in relation to Bradford & Bingley plc, Kaupthing Singer and Friedlander, Heritable Bank plc, Landsbanki Islands hf, London Scottish Bank plc and Dunfermline Building Society.

The FSCS meets these current claims by way of loans received from HM Treasury. The terms of these loans are interest only for the first three years, and the FSCS seeks to recover the interest cost, together with ongoing management expenses, by way of annual management levies on members over this period.

The Society FSCS provision reflects market participation up to the reporting date. £2.4m of the provision relates to the estimated management expenses levy for the scheme year 2013/14 and half the expected charge for the 2014/15 scheme year. £0.8m of the provision relates to the compensation levy. These amounts were calculated on the basis of the Society's current share of protected deposits taking into account the FSCS estimate of total management expenses for each scheme year and the current estimated shortfall on capital loans outstanding.

The provision does not include any estimate for levies for scheme years after 2014/15 which may arise.

Onerous contracts

The provision for onerous contracts covers the loss anticipated in connection with future lease expenses from non-cancellable lease commitments in branches that the Society has, as part of its branch restructure, decided are no longer required.

7 Loans and advances to customers

Included within loans and advances to customers are £199.9m (30 September 2012: £372.3m) of commercial mortgage balances and £1,581.9m (30 September 2012: £1,276.4m) of residential mortgage balances that the Group has sold to bankruptcy remote special purpose entities (SPEs). The SPEs have been funded by issuing mortgage backed securities (MBSs) of which loan notes totalling £1,113.9m (30 September 2012: £1,268.6m) are held by the Group.

The Group has made subordinated loans to the SPEs to provide some level of credit enhancement to the MBSs. In future periods the Group will earn interest income on the subordinated loans and fees for managing the loans. The Group will earn deferred consideration once the cash flows generated by the SPEs have been used to pay interest and capital to the holders of the MBSs. Since the Group maintains substantially all of the risks (key risk being an exposure to credit risk through the subordinated loan agreements) and rewards emanating from the mortgages, they have been retained on the Group's statement of financial position in accordance with IAS 39.

8 Shares

9 Property, plant, equipment and intangible assets

Capital commitments

The Group has placed contracts amounting to a total of £0.7m (30 September 2012: £0.5m) for future expenditure that was not provided in the financial statements.

10 Investment properties

11 Debt securities in issue

The non-recourse finance comprises mortgage backed floating rate notes (the Notes) secured over portfolios of mortgage loans secured by first charges over residential and commercial properties in the United Kingdom. Prior to redemption of the Notes on the final interest payment date, the Notes will be subject to mandatory and/or optional redemption, in certain circumstances, on each interest payment date.

12 Profit participating deferred shares

The profit participating deferred shares (PPDS) are entitled to receive a distribution, at the discretion of the Society, of up to 25% of the Group's post-tax profits in the future (calculated prior to payment of the PPDS dividend). No such distribution may be made if the cumulative reserves are in deficit.

13 Related party transactions

Related party transactions for the six months to 30 September 2013 are within the normal course of business and of a similar nature to those for the last financial year, full details of which are disclosed in the Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2013.

14 Subscribed capital

In a winding up or dissolution of the Society the claims of the holders of permanent interest bearing shares (PIBS) would rank behind all other creditors of the Society, with the exception of holders of profit participating deferred shares (PPDS) with which the PIBS rank pari-passu, and the claims of members holding shares as to principal and interest. The holders of PIBS are not entitled to any share in any final surplus upon winding up or dissolution of the Society.

With respect to future interest payments, as a condition of the PPDS, the Society has undertaken to pay an amount which, when annualised, represents the lower of: 6.15% of the outstanding principal amount of the PIBS and the dividend yield attributable to the PPDS with respect to the prior financial year ending 31 March whose payment is at the discretion of the Society.

15 Financial instruments

Fair values of financial assets and financial liabilities

The table below compares the carrying and fair values of the Group's non-derivative financial instruments by category at the reporting date. Where available, market values have been used to determine fair values. Where market values are not available, fair values have been calculated by discounting cash flows at prevailing interest rates.

a) Loans and advances to customers

The fair value of loans and advances to customers has been calculated on an individual loan basis taking into account factors such as impairment and interest rates. It is not considered appropriate to value them collectively as a portfolio sale.

Impairment is calculated on an incurred loss basis except to the extent that acquired mortgage books have been fair valued on a basis which makes allowances for anticipated losses over the remaining life of the loans.

b) Deposits and borrowings

The estimated fair value of deposits with no stated maturity, which includes non-interest bearing deposits, is the amount repayable on demand.

The estimated fair value of fixed interest-bearing deposits and other borrowings without quoted market price is based on discounted cash flows using interest rates for new debts with similar remaining maturity.

c) Debt securities in issue

The aggregate fair values are calculated based on quoted market prices. For those notes where quoted market prices are not available, a discounted cash flow model is used based on a current yield curve appropriate for the remaining term to maturity.

The fair values have been calculated on a product basis and as such do not necessarily represent the value that could have been obtained for a portfolio if it were sold at 30 September 2013.

Fair value measurement

The following table summarises the fair value measurement basis used for assets and liabilities held on the statement of financial position at fair value:

Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2: Valuation techniques where all inputs are taken from observable market data, either directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices).

Level 3: Valuation techniques where significant inputs are not based on observable market data. None of the Group's financial assets or liabilities are valued using this technique.

Valuation techniques include net present value and discounted cash flow models, comparison to similar instruments for which market observable prices exist and other valuation models. Assumptions and market observable inputs used in valuation techniques include risk-free and benchmark interest rates, equity index prices and expected price volatilities. The objective of valuation techniques is to arrive at a fair value determination that reflects the price of the financial instrument at the reporting date that would have been determined by market participants acting at arm's length.

Observable prices are those that have been seen either from counterparties or from market pricing sources including Bloomberg. The use of these depends upon the liquidity of the relevant market.

16 Statement of Directors' responsibilities

The Directors confirm that this condensed set of financial statements has been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 as adopted by the European Union, and that the half-yearly management report herein includes a fair review of the information required by DTR 4.2.7R and DTR 4.2.8R.

The Directors of West Bromwich Building Society are listed in the West Bromwich Building Society Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2013.

By order of the Board

Jonathan Westhoff

Chief Executive

Mark Gibbard

Group Finance Director