| f) | Financial Instruments: Initial recognition and subsequent measurement - |
A financial instrument is any contract that gives rise to a financial asset of one entity and a financial liability or equity instrument or another entity.
The Group classifies its financial instruments in one of the categories defined by IAS 39: financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss; loans and receivables; available-for-sale financial investments; held-to-maturity financial investments and other financial liabilities. The Group determines the classification of its financial instruments at initial recognition.
The classification of financial instruments at initial recognition depends on the purpose and the Management intention for which the financial instruments were acquired and their characteristics. All financial instruments are measured initially at their fair value plus the incremental costs related to the transaction which are directly attributable to the acquisition or issue of the instrument, except in the case of financial assets and financial liabilities recorded at fair value through profit or loss.
Purchases or sales of financial assets that require delivery of assets within a time frame established according to market regulations or conventions (regular market trades) are recognized on the trade date, that is, the date on which the Group commits to purchase or sell the asset. Derivatives are recognized on a trade date basis.
| (i) | Financial assets and liabilities at fair value through profit or loss - |
Financial assets and liabilities at fair value through profit or loss include financial assets and liabilities held for trading and financial assets and liabilities designated at fair value through profit or loss, the designation of which is upon initial recognition and on an instrument by instrument basis. Derivative financial instruments are also categorized as held for trading unless they are designated as hedging instruments.
A financial asset or liability is classified as held for trading if it is acquired for the purpose of selling or repurchasing it in the short term, and is presented in “Trading securities” or “Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss” in the consolidated statement of financial position.
Management may only designate an instrument at fair value through profit or loss upon initial recognition when the following criteria are met:
| - | The designation eliminates or significantly reduces the inconsistent treatment that would otherwise arise from measuring assets or liabilities or recognizing gains or losses generated by them on a different basis; or |
| - | The assets and liabilities are part of a group of financial assets, financial liabilities or both which are managed and evaluated based on the yield on their fair value, in accordance with a documented risk management or investment strategy; or |
| - | A contract contains one or more embedded derivatives which can significantly modify the cash flows that might otherwise be required by the contract and their separation is not prohibited by IAS 39. In this case, the entire contract is designated at fair value through profit or loss. |
Changes in fair value of a designated financial asset and liability through profit or loss are recorded in “Net gain (loss) on financial assets designated at fair value through profit or loss” of the consolidated statement of income. Interest earned or incurred is accrued in the consolidated statement of income in “Interest and similar income” or “interest and similar expenses”, according to the terms of the contract. Dividend income is recorded when the right to payment has been established.
| (ii) | Loans and receivables - |
Loans and receivables are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market.
After initial recognition, loans and receivables are measured at amortized cost using the effective interest rate method, less any provision for impairment. Amortized cost is calculated by taking into account any discount or premium on acquisition and fees or costs that are an integral part of the effective interest rate. The effective interest rate amortization is recognized in the consolidated statement of income in “Interest and similar income”. Losses from impairment are recognized in the consolidated statement of income in “Provision for loan losses, net of recoveries”.
Direct loans are recorded when disbursement of funds to the clients are made. Indirect (off-balance sheet) loans are recorded when documents supporting such facilities are issued. Likewise, Credicorp considers as refinanced or restructured those loans that change their payment schedules due to difficulties in the debtor’s ability to repay the loan.
A provision for loan losses is established if there is objective evidence that the Group will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original contractual terms of the loans. The provision for loan losses is established based on an internal risk classification and considering any guarantees and collaterals received, Note 3 (i) and 32.1.
| (iii) | Available-for-sale financial investments - |
Available-for-sale financial investments include equity investments and debt securities. Equity investments classified as available-for-sale are those that are neither classified as held for trading nor designated at fair value through profit or loss. Debt instruments in this category are those that are intended to be held for an indefinite period of time and that may be sold in response to needs for liquidity or in response to changes in market conditions.
After initial recognition, available-for-sale financial investments are subsequently measured at fair value with unrealized gains or losses recognized as other comprehensive income in the available-for-sale reserve, net of the corresponding deferred tax and non-controlling interest, until the investment is derecognized, at which time the cumulative gain or loss is recognized in the consolidated statement of income in “Net gain on the sale of securities”, or is determined to be impaired, at which time the impaired amount is recognized in the consolidated statement of income in “Impairment loss on available–for–sale investments” and removed from the reserve of investments available-for-sale.
Interest and similar income earned are recognized in the consolidated statement of income in “Interest and similar income”. Interest earned is reported as interest income using the effective interest rate method and dividends earned are recognized when collection rights are established.
Estimated fair values are based primarily on quoted prices or, if quoted market prices are not available, discounted expected cash flows using market rates commensurate with the credit quality and maturity of the investment.
The Group evaluates whether its ability and intention to sell its available-for-sale financial assets in the near term is still appropriate. When, in rare circumstances, the Group is unable to trade these financial assets due to inactive markets, the Group may elect to reclassify these financial assets if Management has the ability and intention to hold such assets for the foreseeable future or until maturity.
For a financial asset reclassified from the available-for-sale category, the fair value carrying amount at the date of reclassification becomes its new amortized cost and any previous gain or loss on the asset that has been recognized in equity is amortized to profit or loss over the remaining life of the investment using the effective interest rate.
| (iv) | Held-to-maturity financial investments - |
Held-to-maturity financial investments are non–derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments and fixed maturities, which Credicorp has the intention and ability to hold to maturity. After initial measurement, held-to-maturity financial investments are subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest rate less impairment. Amortized cost is calculated by taking into account any discount or premium on acquisition and fees that are an integral part of the effective interest rate. The amortization is included in “Interest and similar income” of the consolidated statement of income. The losses arising from impairment of these investments are recognized in the consolidated statement of income.
At December 31, 2017 and 2016 the Group has not recognized any impairment loss on held-to-maturity investments, see policy of impairment of financial assets carried at amortized cost in Note 3(i)(i).
If the Group were to sell or reclassify a more than insignificant amount of held-to-maturity investments before maturity (other than in certain specific circumstances), the entire category would be tainted and would have to be reclassified as available-for-sale. Furthermore, the Group would be prohibited from classifying any financial asset as held-to-maturity during the following two (2) years.
At December 31, 2017 and 2016 the Group did not sell or reclassify any of its held-to-maturity investments.
| (v) | Repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements and security lending and borrowing transactions - |
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase at a specified future date are not derecognized from the consolidated statement of financial position as the Group retains substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership. The cash received is recognized as an asset with a corresponding obligation to return it, including accrued interest, as a liability in “Payables from repurchase agreements and security lendings”, reflecting the transaction’s economic substance as a loan to the Group. The difference between the sale and repurchase price is treated as interest expense and is accrued over the life of the agreement using the effective interest rate and is recognized in “Interest and similar expenses” of the consolidated statement of income.
As part of this transaction the Group grants assets as collateral. When the counterparty receives securities and has the right to sell or re-pledge, the Group reclassifies those securities in “Available-for-sale investments pledged as collateral” or “Held-to-maturity investments pledged as collateral”, as appropriate, of the consolidated statement of financial position. Also, when the counterparty receives cash as collateral that will be restricted until the maturity of the contract, the Group reclassifies the cash in Cash collateral, reverse repurchase agreements and security borrowings” in the consolidated statement of financial position, which includes accrued interest that is calculated according to the method of the effective interest rate.
Conversely, securities purchased under agreements to resell at a specified future date are not recognized in the consolidated statement of financial position. The consideration paid, including accrued interest, is recorded in “Receivables from reverse repurchase agreements and security borrowings” of the consolidated statement of financial position, reflecting the transaction’s economic substance as a loan by the Group. The difference between the purchase and resale price is recorded in “Interest and similar income” of the consolidated statement of income and is accrued over the life of the agreement using the effective interest rate.
If securities purchased under agreement to resell are subsequently sold to third parties, the obligation to return the securities is recorded as a short sale in the consolidated statement of financial position heading “Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss” and measured at fair value, with any gains or losses included in the consolidated statement of income caption “Net gain on sale of securities”.
Security lending and borrowing transactions are usually collateralized by securities. The transfer of the securities to counterparties is only reflected in the consolidated statement of financial position if the risks and rewards of ownership are also transferred.
| (vi) | Other financial liabilities - |
After initial measurement other financial liabilities are subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest rate method. Amortized cost includes any issuance discount or premium and directly attributable transaction costs that are an integral part of the effective interest rate.
