Annual report and accounts 2008

Notes contentsNotes to consolidated financial statements

16. Derivative financial instruments

The Group’s approach to the management of financial risks is set out in note 19. The Group’s outstanding derivative financial instruments are as follows:

All figures in £ millions			2008				2007
	Gross notional amounts	Assets	Liabilities		Gross notional amounts	Assets	Liabilities
Interest rate derivatives — in a fair value hedge relationship	1,232	161	—		522	18	(8)
Interest rate derivatives — not in a hedge relationship	1,033	23	(20)		796	7	(8)
Cross currency rate derivatives — in a net investment hedge relationship	—	—	—		100	17	—
Cross currency rate derivatives — not in a hedge relationship	—	—	—		50	9	—
Total	2,265	184	(20)		1,468	51	(16)
Analysed as expiring:
In less than one year	487	3	(5)		320	28	—
Later than one year and not later than five years	859	47	(15)		796	13	(8)
Later than five years	919	134	—		352	10	(8)
Total	2,265	184	(20)		1,468	51	(16)

The carrying value of the above derivative financial instruments equals their fair value. Fair values are determined by using market data and the use of established estimation techniques such as discounted cash flow and option valuation models.

At the end of 2008, the currency split of the mark-to-market values of rate derivatives, including the exchange of principal on cross currency rate derivatives, was US dollar £161m and sterling £3m (2007: US dollar £(119)m and sterling £154m).

The fixed interest rates on outstanding rate derivative contracts at the end of 2008 range from 4.45% to 7.0% (2007: 4.45% to 7.00%) and the floating rates are based on LIBOR in US dollar and sterling.

The Group’s portfolio of rate derivatives is diversified by maturity, counterparty and type. Natural offsets between transactions within the portfolio and the designation of certain derivatives as hedges significantly reduce the risk of income statement volatility. The sensitivity of the portfolio to changes in market rates is set out in note 19.

Counterparty exposure from all derivatives is managed, together with that from deposits and bank account balances, within credit limits that reflect published credit ratings and by reference to other market measures (e.g. market prices for credit default swaps) to ensure that there is no significant risk to any one counterparty. No single derivative transaction had a market value (positive or negative) at the balance sheet date that exceeded 3% of the Group’s consolidated total equity.

In accordance with IAS 39 ‘Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement’, the Group has reviewed all of its material contracts for embedded derivatives that are required to be separately accounted for if they do not meet certain requirements, and has concluded that there are no material embedded derivatives.