Intangible assets are identifiable non-monetary assets (separable from other assets) without physical substance which arise as a result of a legal transaction or software development. Only assets whose cost can be estimated reliably and from which the consolidated entities consider it probable that future economic benefits will be generated are recognized.
Intangible assets are recognized initially at acquisition or production cost and are subsequently measured deducting any accumulated amortization and any accumulated impairment losses.
i. Goodwill
In the acquisition and/or merger of investment in subsidiary, any difference between the investment cost and the investor's share in net fair value of assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities of the investee (subsidiary or affiliate) is accounted for in accordance with IFRS 3 "Business Combination ".
Goodwill is only recognized when it has been acquired for consideration and represents, therefore, a payment made by the acquirer in anticipation of future economic benefits from assets of the acquired entity that are not capable of being individually identified and separately recognized.
At the end of each annual reporting period or whenever there is any indication of impairment goodwill is reviewed for impairment (i.e. a reduction in its recoverable amount to below its carrying amount) and, if there is any impairment, the goodwill is written down with a charge to Impairment on non financial assets (net) - Intangible assets in the consolidated income statement.
The net fair value adjustments of assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities of the investee in relation to their carrying amount are allocated to individual identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed that comprise them based on their respective fair values at the date of purchase.
In the case of a business combination made in stages, prior interest in the acquired is measured again at fair value at the acquisition date when control of the acquired is obtained.
ii. Other intangible assets
Other intangible assets are non-monetary assets without physical substance. Generally arising from software development and acquisition of rights that can generate benefits for the Bank. They can have characteristics of definite or indefinite period.
Other intangible assets can have an indefinite useful life -when, based on an analysis of all the relevant factors, it is concluded that there is no foreseeable limit to the period over which the asset is expected to generate net cash inflows for the consolidated entities- or a finite useful life, in all other cases.
Intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are not amortized, but rather at the end of each reporting period or whenever there is any indication of impairment the consolidated entities review the remaining useful lives of the assets in order to determine whether they continue to be indefinite and, if this is not the case, to take the appropriate steps.
Intangible assets with finite useful lives are amortized over those useful lives using methods similar to those used to depreciate tangible assets. The amortization expense is recognized under "Depreciation and amortization" in the consolidated income statement.
The Bank assesses at the end of each period, if there is any indication that the items of intangible assets may present an impairment loss, i.e. an asset that presents the carrying amount higher than the net realizable value. After identifying any reduction in impairment loss, it is adjusted to reach its fair value.
Measurement of the recoverable amount of other intangible assets - software is made based on the value in use, as well as the analysis of the discontinuity of the asset in relation to the activities of the Bank.
Expenditures for acquisition and development of software are amortized over a maximum period of 5 years.