Servizi
OSB GROUP PLC - Interim Report
LEI: 213800ZBKL9BHSL2K459
15 August 2024
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION
OSB GROUP PLC
Interim report for the six months ended 30 June 2024
OSB GROUP PLC (OSBG or the Group), the specialist lending and retail savings group, announces today its results for the six months ended 30 June 2024.
Following the Combination with Charter Court Financial Services Group plc (CCFS) on 4 October 2019, this press release includes results on an underlying basis, in addition to the statutory basis, which Management believes provide a more consistent basis for comparing the Group's results between financial periods. Underlying results exclude acquisition-related items (see the reconciliation in the Financial review).
Financial and operational highlights
Commenting on the results, Group CEO, Andy Golding said:
“I am pleased with the Group's performance in the first six months of 2024, demonstrating a disciplined approach to new lending, as we focused on maintaining our return on equity against a backdrop of subdued mortgage market volumes. The Group delivered 18% underlying return on equity and 1.5% underlying net loan book growth for the first half, slightly lower than originally guided as we prioritised returns over growth. The Group remains a leading Buy-to-Let lender with c.9% share of new Buy-to-Let mortgages at the end of May, demonstrating the strength of its more complex professional, multi-property landlord proposition.
Based on current market activity and our disciplined approach to lending and retention, the Group now expects to deliver underlying net loan book growth of c.3% for 2024.
Underlying net interest margin is expected to be in a range of 230 - 240bps for the full year as increased competition in the subdued mortgage market leads to maturing fixed term mortgages redeeming or switching onto lower prevailing spreads more quickly, and as we continue to monitor customer behaviour in reversion on the Precise book for any potential impact on the measurement of EIR.
The underlying cost to income ratio is expected to be c.36%, commensurate with the NIM guidance and as we continue to maintain our cost discipline while we invest in the business.
We have seen an improvement in the macroeconomic outlook recently which supports our cautious re-entry into more cyclical, higher margin sub-segments, which will contribute to returns in the medium term. We are now past peak interest rates, which will also provide a much-needed stimulus to the mortgage market. The Group is well-capitalised and well-positioned to successfully leverage our unique multi-brand structure and benefit from the opportunities as they arise. I remain confident in the outlook for the Group and our ability to deliver sustainable and attractive returns for our shareholders.”
1. UK Finance, BTL mortgages outstanding and gross lending, July 2024
Enquiries:
OSB GROUP PLC Brunswick Group
Alastair Pate, Investor Relations Robin Wrench/Simone Selzer
t: 01634 838973 t: 020 7404 5959
Results presentation
A webcast presentation for analysts will be held at 9:30am on Thursday 15 August.
The presentation will be webcast or call only and will be available on the OSB Group website at www.osb.co.uk/investors/results-reports-presentations.
The UK dial in number is 020 3936 2999 and the password is 100969. Registration is open immediately.
Notes
1. Before acquisition-related items of £8.6m (H1 2023: £39.9m)
2. Profit attributable to ordinary shareholders, which is profit after tax and after deducting coupons on AT1 securities, gross of tax, as a percentage of a 7 point average of shareholders' equity (excluding £150m of AT1 securities), annualised
3. Net interest income as a percentage of a 7 point average of interest earning assets, annualised on an actual days basis
4. Administrative expenses as a percentage of total income
5. Impairment losses as a percentage of a 7 point average of gross loans and advances, annualised
6. Profit attributable to ordinary shareholders, which is profit after tax and after deducting coupons on AT1 securities, gross of tax, divided by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue
7. The declared interim dividend of 10.7 pence per share is based on one-third of the total 2023 dividend of 32.0 pence per share (H1 2023: 10.2 pence per share)
About OSB GROUP PLC
OneSavings Bank plc (OSB) began trading as a bank on 1 February 2011 and was admitted to the main market of the London Stock Exchange in June 2014 (OSB.L). OSB joined the FTSE 250 index in June 2015. On 4 October 2019, OSB acquired Charter Court Financial Services Group plc (CCFS) and its subsidiary businesses. On 30 November 2020, OSB GROUP PLC became the listed entity and holding company for the OSB Group. The Group provides specialist lending and retail savings and is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority, part of the Bank of England, and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority. The Group reports under two segments, OneSavings Bank and Charter Court Financial Services.
OneSavings Bank (OSB)
OSB primarily targets market sub-sectors that offer high growth potential and attractive risk-adjusted returns in which it can take a leading position and where it has established expertise, platforms and capabilities. These include private rented sector Buy-to-Let, commercial and semi-commercial mortgages, residential development finance, bespoke and specialist residential lending, secured funding lines and asset finance.
OSB originates mortgages via specialist brokers and independent financial advisers through its specialist brands including Kent Reliance for Intermediaries and InterBay Commercial. It is differentiated through its use of highly skilled, bespoke underwriting and efficient operating model.
OSB is predominantly funded by retail savings originated through the long-established Kent Reliance name, which includes online as well as a network of branches in the South East of England. Diversification of funding is currently provided by securitisation programmes and the Bank of England's Term Funding Scheme with additional incentives for SMEs.
Charter Court Financial Services Group (CCFS)
CCFS focuses on providing Buy-to-Let and specialist residential mortgages, mortgage servicing, administration and retail savings products. It operates through its brands: Precise and Charter Savings Bank.
It is differentiated through risk management expertise and automated technology and systems, ensuring efficient processing, strong credit and collateral risk control and speed of product development and innovation. These factors have enabled strong balance sheet growth whilst maintaining high credit quality mortgage assets.
CCFS is predominantly funded by retail savings originated through its Charter Savings Bank brand. Diversification of funding is currently provided by securitisation programmes and the Bank of England's Term Funding Scheme with additional incentives for SMEs.
Important disclaimer
This document should be read in conjunction with any other documents or announcements distributed by OSB GROUP PLC (OSBG) through the Regulatory News Service (RNS). This document is not audited and contains certain forward-looking statements with respect to the business, strategy and plans of OSBG, its current goals, beliefs, intentions, strategies and expectations relating to its future financial condition, performance and results. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, those preceded by, followed by or that include the words 'targets', 'believes', 'estimates', 'expects', 'aims', 'intends', 'will', 'may', 'anticipates', 'projects', 'plans', 'forecasts', 'outlook', 'likely', 'guidance', 'trends', 'future', 'would', 'could', 'should' or similar expressions or negatives thereof but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. Statements that are not historical or current facts, including statements about OSBG's, its directors' and/or management's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend upon circumstances that may or may not occur in the future that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual business, strategy, plans and/or results (including but not limited to the payment of dividends) to differ materially from the plans, objectives, expectations, estimates and intentions expressed in such forward-looking statements made by OSBG or on its behalf include, but are not limited to: general economic and business conditions in the UK and internationally; market related trends and developments; fluctuations in exchange rates, stock markets, inflation, deflation, interest rates, energy prices and currencies; policies of the Bank of England, the European Central Bank and other G7 central banks; the ability to access sufficient sources of capital, liquidity and funding when required; changes to OSBG's credit ratings; the ability to derive cost savings; changing demographic developments, and changing customer behaviour, including consumer spending, saving and borrowing habits; changes in customer preferences; changes to borrower or counterparty credit quality; instability in the global financial markets, including Eurozone instability, the potential for countries to exit the European Union (the EU) or the Eurozone, and the impact of any sovereign credit rating downgrade or other sovereign financial issues; technological changes and risks to cyber security; natural and other disasters, adverse weather and similar contingencies outside OSBG's control; inadequate or failed internal or external processes, people and systems; terrorist acts and other acts of war (including, without limitation, the Russia-Ukraine war, the Israel-Hamas war and any continuation and escalation of such conflicts) or hostility and responses to those acts; the conflict in the Middle East; geopolitical events and diplomatic tensions; the impact of outbreaks, epidemics and pandemics or other such events; changes in laws, regulations, taxation, ESG reporting standards, accounting standards or practices, including as a result of the UK's exit from the EU; regulatory capital or liquidity requirements and similar contingencies outside OSBG's control; the policies and actions of governmental or regulatory authorities in the UK, the EU or elsewhere including the implementation and interpretation of key legislation and regulation; the ability to attract and retain senior management and other employees; the extent of any future impairment charges or write-downs caused by, but not limited to, depressed asset valuations, market disruptions and illiquid markets; market relating trends and developments; exposure to regulatory scrutiny, legal proceedings, regulatory investigations or complaints; changes in competition and pricing environments; the inability to hedge certain risks economically; the adequacy of loss reserves; the actions of competitors, including non-bank financial services and lending companies; the success of OSBG in managing the risks of the foregoing; and other risks inherent to the industries and markets in which OSBG operates.
Accordingly, no reliance may be placed on any forward-looking statement. Neither OSBG, nor any of its directors, officers or employees provides any representation, warranty or assurance that any of these statements or forecasts will come to pass or that any forecast results will be achieved. Any forward-looking statements made in this document speak only as of the date they are made and it should not be assumed that they have been revised or updated in the light of new information of future events. Except as required by the Prudential Regulation Authority, the Financial Conduct Authority, the London Stock Exchange PLC or applicable law, OSBG expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained in this document to reflect any change in OSBG's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. For additional information on possible risks to OSBG's business, (which may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statement), please see the Risk review section in the OSBG Annual Report and Accounts 2023. Copies of this are available at www.osb.co.uk and on request from OSBG.
Nothing in this document or any subsequent discussion of this document constitutes or forms part of a public offer under any applicable law or an offer or the solicitation of an offer to purchase or sell any securities or financial instruments. Nor does it constitute advice or a recommendation with respect to such securities or financial instruments, or any invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity under section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. Past performance cannot be relied on as a guide to future performance. Statements about historical performance must not be construed to indicate that future performance, share price or results in any future period will necessarily match or exceed those of any prior period. Nothing in this document is intended to be, or should be construed as, a profit forecast or estimate for any period.
In regard to any information provided by third parties, neither OSBG nor any of its directors, officers or employees explicitly or implicitly guarantees that such information is exact, up to date, accurate, comprehensive or complete. In no event shall OSBG be liable for any use by any party of, for any decision made or action taken by any party in reliance upon, or for inaccuracies or errors in, or omission from, any third-party information contained herein. Moreover, in reproducing such information by any means, OSBG may introduce any changes it deems suitable, may omit partially or completely any aspect of the information from this document, and accepts no liability whatsoever for any resulting discrepancy.
Liability arising from anything in this document shall be governed by English law, and neither OSBG nor any of its affiliates, advisors or representatives shall have any liability whatsoever (in negligence or otherwise) for any loss howsoever arising from any use of this document or its contents or otherwise arising in connection with this document. Nothing in this document shall exclude any liability under applicable laws that cannot be excluded in accordance with such laws.
Certain figures contained in this document, including financial information, may have been subject to rounding adjustments and foreign exchange conversions. Accordingly, in certain instances, the sum or percentage change of the numbers contained in this document may not conform exactly to the total figure given.
Non-IFRS performance measures
OSBG believes that any non-IFRS performance measures included in this document provide a more consistent basis for comparing the business' performance between financial periods, and provide more detail concerning the elements of performance which OSBG is most directly able to influence or which are relevant for an assessment of OSBG. They also reflect an important aspect of the way in which operating targets are defined and performance is monitored by the Board. However, any non-IFRS performance measures in this document are not a substitute for IFRS measures and readers should consider the IFRS measures as well. For further details, refer to the Alternative Performance Measures section in the OSBG Annual Report and Accounts 2023. Copies of this are available at www.osb.co.uk and on request from OSBG.
Key Performance Indicators
1. Profit attributable to ordinary shareholders, which is profit after tax and after deducting coupons on AT1 securities, gross of tax, divided by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue
2. Net interest income as a percentage of a 7 point average of interest earning assets, annualised on an actual days basis
3. Administrative expenses as a percentage of total income
4. Impairment losses as a percentage of a 7 point average of gross loans and advances, annualised
5. Administrative expenses as a percentage of 7 point average of total assets, annualised
6. Profit attributable to ordinary shareholders, which is profit after tax and after deducting coupons on AT1 securities, gross of tax, as a percentage of a 7 point average of shareholders' equity (excluding £150m of AT1 securities), annualised
7. Portfolio arrears rate of accounts for which there are missing or overdue payments by more than three months as a percentage of net loans
8. OSB customer Net Promoter Score relates to Kent Reliance savings customers and CCFS customer NPS relates to Charter Savings Bank customers. It is calculated based on customer responses to the question of whether they would recommend the Group's products to a friend. The responses provide a score between -100 and +100
Key Performance Indicators
Underlying key performance indicators for six months to 30 June 2024 and 30 June 2023 reflect results for the combined Group, excluding acquisition-related items (see Reconciliation of statutory to underlying results in the Financial review).
For definitions of key ratios please see footnotes in KPIs above.
CEO Report
I am pleased with the results delivered by OSB Group in the first six months of 2024 which were resilient despite the subdued mortgage market. They demonstrate not only the strong fundamentals that underpin our business but also the disciplined strategic choices that the Board and the management have made in shaping the Group both now and for the future.
Throughout the first half, the housing market continued to display low levels of activity reflecting affordability pressures combined with political and economic uncertainty, however the Group's lending and savings propositions remained popular. We continued to do the right thing for our customers whilst retaining a disciplined, returns focused approach to pricing new lending. This resulted in underlying loan book growth of 1.5% and underlying return on equity of 18% for the first half.
I am proud that for 2023, we were once again ranked fourth largest Buy-to-Let lender in the UK in terms of gross new lending as recently released by UK Finance. The Group's share of new Buy-to-Let mortgages was c.9% at the end of May 2024.
The Group is undertaking a cautious re-entry into more cyclical, higher margin sub-segments, including commercial and asset finance, supported by improvement in the macroeconomic outlook. Whilst it will take time to impact the net interest margin this approach will provide a positive contribution to returns in the medium term.
Financial performance
The Group delivered an underlying pre-tax profit of £249.9m for the first six months of 2024, which increased from £116.6m in the first half of 2023, primarily as a result of non-recurrence of the adverse effective interest rate (EIR) adjustment and loan book growth. This was partially offset by lower prevailing spreads from mortgages and deposits as products written in prior years reached maturity and Minimum Requirement for Own Funds and Eligible Liabilities (MREL) issuance. Underlying profit before tax also benefitted from an impairment credit compared to a charge in the previous period.
The underlying basic earnings per share was 46.0 pence (H1 2023: 19.5 pence). On a statutory basis, profit before tax was £241.3m and basic earnings per share were 44.4 pence (H1 2023: £76.7m and 12.8 pence, respectively).
The underlying and statutory net interest margins improved to 243bps and 237bps, respectively (H1 2023: 203bps and 171bps) primarily benefitting from non-recurrence of the adverse EIR adjustment partially offset by maturing fixed term mortgages redeeming or switching onto lower prevailing spreads, the continued recycling of the fixed rate deposit book onto higher rates and MREL issuance, as we met the Group's interim MREL requirement earlier this year.
In the second quarter, we commenced the implementation of an equity structural hedge to reduce earnings volatility due to interest rate changes arising from the portion of the balance sheet funded by equity. As at 14 August the hedge was fully in place with a notional value of £1bn, equivalent to 50% of the Group's CET1 equity.
We made no changes in the first half to the behavioural assumptions used in revenue recognition under the EIR approach. Although Precise borrowers spent less time on the reversion rate in the second quarter, based on limited observations and other wider macroeconomic factors, we did not consider this to be a trend. Borrowers' behaviour can be variable as base rate and market dynamics change and we will continue to monitor their behaviour for any potential impact on the measurement of EIR.
Underlying administrative expenses increased by 15% to £125.7m from £109.2m in the prior period due to planned investment in people and operations, further spend on the digitalisation programme and the cost of the new Bank of England levy. We have made progress in the digitalisation programme which will enable us to meet the future needs of our customers, brokers and wider stakeholders, whilst delivering further operational efficiencies. As part of this programme, I am particularly pleased that we have launched our pioneering, first of a kind, mobile app for intermediaries demonstrating our commitment to mortgage brokers. The app makes it easier for them to do business with us and complements our dedicated network of business development managers.
This investment was also reflected in the management expense ratio which increased to 83bps from 78bps in the prior period, both on an underlying and statutory basis. Cost to income ratio improved to 34% and 35% on an underlying and statutory basis (H1 2023: 40% and 47%, respectively) primarily as a result of higher income.
The Group delivered an underlying return on equity of 18% for the first half (H1 2023: 8%) and statutory return on equity was 17% (H1 2023: 5%) benefitting from higher profit in the period.
The Board has declared an interim dividend of 10.7 pence per share (H1 2023: 10.2 pence), representing one-third of the full year 2023 ordinary dividend, in line with our stated dividend policy.
Our lending franchise
The UK mortgage market remained subdued in the first half of 2024 with a marginal increase in gross mortgage lending towards the end of the second quarter as mortgage interest rates reduced due to increased competition in certain sub-segments. In the Buy-to-Let market, UK Finance reported growth of 3% in gross advances in the first five months of 2024 compared to the prior period, however the balance of outstanding Buy-to-Let mortgages contracted by 1% in the same period reflecting ongoing affordability pressures faced by amateur landlords.
Against this market backdrop, the Group's underlying and statutory net loan book grew by 1.5% and 1.4%, respectively to £26.1bn in the first half (31 December 2023: £25.7bn and £25.8bn) supported by originations of £1.9bn (H1 2023: £2.3bn). In the first half, as activity in the market remained subdued and competition in our core sub-segments increased, particularly in the second quarter, we retained our disciplined approach to pricing new business, prioritising returns. We chose not to follow as some lenders reduced their new business spreads in certain sub-segments. We continued to lend to professional, multi-property landlords at good margins.
Under Kent Reliance's well-established product transfer programme, Choices, 74% of borrowers refinanced with the Group within three months of their fixed rate product ending (H1 2023: 75%). The proportion of Precise borrowers who chose another product with the Group in the first half reduced to 56% from 59% in the prior period, as we were selective on which business we retained. Refinancing was strong in the first half with 63% of Buy-to-Let completions in Kent Reliance represented by remortgages, up from 59% in the prior period. For Precise, refinancing decreased to 48% of completions from 53% in the prior period, demonstrating a relative increase in purchases.
Our customer focus was further demonstrated by the industry awards we have won so far this year, including Best Lender for Partnership with Mortgage Club from L&G Mortgage Club and Best Specialist Lender from Mortgage Strategy Awards. Our relationships with brokers were reflected in strong Net Promoter Scores (NPS) of +56 for OSB and +53 for CCFS (H1 2023: +56 and +61, respectively).
Credit and risk management
The loan book continued to demonstrate strong credit performance with balances over three months in arrears for the Group at 1.6% of the loan book at the end of June (31 December 2023: 1.4%). The increase was largely due to the impact of the higher cost of borrowing on a small group of borrowers.
The Group's loan to value (LTV) position remained strong with the weighted average LTV of the loan book at 66% as at 30 June 2024 (31 December 2023: 64%), reflecting a reduction in house prices in the South East in the period, where the Group has the highest proportion of its loan book. The weighted average LTV of new mortgages written by the Group remained at 68%.
The Group recorded an impairment credit of £5.2m on an underlying basis, which represented an underlying loan loss ratio of (4)bps for the first six months of 2024 (H1 2023: £44.5m charge and 37bps, respectively). The impairment credit was due to updated macroeconomic scenarios, particularly house price improvement. The statutory impairment credit was £4.7m, equivalent to a loan loss ratio of (4)bps (H1 2023: £44.6m and 37bps).
Multi-channel funding model
Our two savings brands, Kent Reliance and Charter Savings Bank continued to attract new savers by combining excellent customer service with a competitively priced offering and in the first half we opened nearly 133,000 new savings accounts. This allowed us to continue the repayment of Term Funding Scheme for SMEs (TFSME) and the retail deposit book grew by 10% to £24.3bn from £22.1bn at the end of 2023.
We complemented funding from retail deposits with our expertise in the wholesale markets and, in the first six months of 2024, the Group completed two transactions: a £509m securitisation of Buy-to-Let mortgages in February and a £330m securitisation of owner-occupied mortgages in May. Both securitisations saw strong demand from our growing investor base which allowed us to achieve attractive pricing.
We will continue to access the wholesale markets when conditions are favourable, to benefit from diversification of funding and to support a smooth transition as we repay TFSME drawings. In the first six months of 2024, we repaid £1.7bn of TFSME funding with the remainder due by October 2025. As at 30 June 2024, the Group's drawings under this Bank of England facility reduced to £1.6bn (31 December 2023: £3.3bn).
Our savings customer focus was reflected in the strong NPS for the first half of the year of +73 for Kent Reliance and +66 for Charter Savings Bank (H1 2023: +71 and +60, respectively), as well as high retention rates: 90% for maturing fixed rate bonds and ISAs at Kent Reliance and 86% for Charter Savings Bank (H1 2023: 90% and 87%, respectively).
Capital management
The Group's capital position, which reflects fully the £50m share repurchase programme announced in March remained strong with a CET1 ratio of 16.2% as at 30 June 2024 (31 December 2023: 16.1%). As at 14 August 2024 the Group had repurchased £39.0m worth of shares. The Group had a total capital ratio of 19.5% as at 30 June 2024 (31 December 2023: 19.5%). We expect to continue to operate above our 14% CET1 target as we wait for clarity on the final Basel 3.1 rules which were recently delayed.
In January, following the issuance of £400m of MREL qualifying senior debt securities, the Group met its interim MREL requirement of 22.5% of risk-weighted assets, including regulatory buffers, under the current standardised rules. We intend to issue further benchmark size MREL qualifying debt to enable us to meet the end state MREL requirement of 23.4% of risk-weighted assets before the deadline of July 2026.
In line with our stated dividend policy, the Board has today declared an interim dividend of 10.7 pence for the first half of 2024.The Board is confident that the Group's strategy and proven capital generation capability can support both net loan book growth and further capital returns to shareholders.
The Group has a strong balance sheet and liquidity, with a high-quality secured loan book and strong customer franchises. We continue to generate excess capital and I am pleased to announce a new share repurchase programme of £50m which will commence on 6 September.
Looking forward
“We have seen an improvement in the macroeconomic outlook recently which supports our cautious re-entry into more cyclical, higher margin sub-segments, which will contribute to returns in the medium term. We are now past peak interest rates, which will also provide a much-needed stimulus to the mortgage market.
Based on current market activity and our disciplined approach to lending and retention, the Group now expects to deliver underlying net loan book growth of c.3% for 2024.
Underlying net interest margin is expected to be in a range of 230 - 240bps for the full year as increased competition in the subdued mortgage market leads to maturing fixed term mortgages redeeming or switching onto lower prevailing spreads more quickly, and as we continue to monitor customer behaviour in reversion on the Precise book for any potential impact on the measurement of the EIR.
The underlying cost to income ratio is expected to be c.36%, commensurate with the NIM guidance and as we continue to maintain our cost discipline while we invest in the business.
The Group is well-capitalised and well-positioned to successfully leverage our unique multi-brand structure and benefit from the opportunities as they arise. I remain confident in the outlook for the Group and our ability to deliver sustainable and attractive returns for our shareholders.”
Andy Golding
Chief Executive Officer
15 August 2024
1. UK Finance members, value of BTL gross lending, July 2024
2. UK Finance, BTL mortgages outstanding and gross lending, July 2024
3. UK Finance, New mortgage lending, UK (BOE) purpose of loan, June 2024
Mortgage market review
Housing market activity was relatively subdued during the first half of the year, reflecting persistent affordability pressures. Political and economic uncertainty was also heightened in the period and this may have influenced potential purchase and refinancing decisions ahead of the UK General Election at the start of July. As a result, property transactions and mortgage completions increased only marginally compared to the same period in 2023, which itself saw the lowest level of activity for nearly a decade following a steep rise in inflation and mortgage interest rates. However, there were also indications that the broader housing market could be improving, with an increase in mortgage approvals and house prices returning to growth following a period of contraction.
Inflationary pressures continued to subside in the first half as evidenced by the Consumer Price Index falling to 2.0% in June 2024 compared to the first half of 2023 when the rate of inflation exceeded 10% within the period. This reduction followed a concerted effort by the Bank of England (BoE) to contain inflation through a series of base rate rises, which led to a significant increase in mortgage interest rates. With inflation falling, the BoE held the base rate stable from September 2023 until August 2024 and this led to a moderation of borrowing costs that has begun to pass into mortgage pricing. According to the BoE, the average quoted interest rate on a two-year fixed rate residential mortgage at 75% loan to value reached a peak of 6.22% in July 2023 and has since reduced by 106bps to 5.16% in June 2024. Likewise, interest rate swap pricing has reduced over the same period with the 2-year interest rate swap down by 108bps from 5.60% to 4.52%.
In the wider economy, prospective borrowers were experiencing an easing of mortgage affordability challenges through increased wages, with average weekly earnings growing annually by 2.5% in real terms from March to May 2024. This improvement in circumstances has led to an increase in confidence, with GfK's Consumer Confidence Index increasing by one point in July to the highest level since August 2021 , and the outlook for respondents' personal financial situation over the next twelve months positive for five consecutive surveys.
House prices also returned to growth in the first half of 2024, with the UK House Price Index registering a modest increase in March 2024 and reaching +2.2% in May , following a period that saw eight consecutive months of contraction from July 2023. According to the Office for National Statistics, the average UK property price reached £285,201 in May 2024, still slightly below the peak of £288,901 reported in September 2022.
UK gross mortgage lending in the first six months of 2024 increased by 1.5% to £111.1bn from £109.5bn in the same period of 2023. Similarly, property transactions increased by 1% during the first six months to 488,000 and new mortgage approvals, which provide an indication of future completions, increased by 18% to £127.2bn from £107.9bn in the same period of 2023.
There continued to be a strong emphasis on refinancing activity amongst homeowners, as borrowers preferred the certainty of fixed mortgage payments. According to UK Finance, total regulated refinancing increased by 5.3% in the first five months of the year compared to the same period in 2023. Within this total product transfers, where borrowers take a new product from their existing lender, continued to increase in popularity with volumes up by 9.3% to £96.1bn from £88.0bn in 2023, representing 77% of all refinancing activity (2023: 74%).
Respondents to the RICS Residential Market Survey have reported declining landlord instructions over several years , suggesting that landlords are purchasing fewer new properties. There is evidence that this activity is more concentrated amongst amateur landlords, with research conducted by Pegasus Insight showing that 18% of multi-property portfolio landlords plan to purchase new properties in the next 12 months compared to 9% of landlords with fewer than four properties. The Group's own Landlord Leaders study also suggested that 69% of landlords either have already or plan to increase the size of their portfolio, reinforcing the continued trend towards professional, multi-property landlords.
Tenant demand for rental properties remains high, with 83% of landlords reporting strong rental demand in the latest Landlord Trends survey conducted by Pegasus Insight. The RICS Residential Market Survey also suggests that tenant demand has grown consistently for over three years. This mismatch between demand and supply continued to exert upward pressure on rents, with private rental prices in the UK rising by 8.6% in the year to June 2024. Rising rental prices have supported growth in rental yields, which exceeded 6% on average in the first quarter for the first time since the end of 2021 according to Pegasus Insight.
Buy-to-Let mortgage gross advances reached £12.9bn in the five months to May 2024, an increase of 3% compared with £12.5bn in the five months to May 2023. Purchases remained broadly flat over the same period at £3.5bn, while remortgage completions increased by 4% to £9.0bn (2023: £8.7bn). The period also saw a reduction of 1.2% in Buy-to-Let mortgages outstanding to £301bn in May 2024 (May 2023: £305bn). According to UK Finance, May 2024 saw an increase in monthly completions and was the strongest individual month for Buy-to-Let originations since January 2023.
There was a trend towards refinancing in the Buy-to-Let sector in 2023 driven by increases in mortgage rates however this growth has not continued in the first half of 2024, with overall refinancing down by 6.8% in the five months to May. Within this total, product transfers were down by 11.3% to £18.0bn (2023: £20.3bn).
1. Office for National Statistics, UK Consumer Prices Index, June 2024
2. Bank of England, 2 year (75% LTV) fixed rate mortgage to households (IUMBV34), June 2024
3. Office for National Statistics, Average weekly earnings in Great Britain: July 2024
4. GfK, Consumer Confidence Index, July 2024
5. Office for National Statistics, UK House Price Index, June 2024
6. UK Finance, New mortgage lending, UK (BOE) purpose of loan, June 2024
7. HMRC, Monthly property transactions, June 2024
8. UK Finance, Approvals for new mortgages by purpose of loan, UK (BOE), July 2024
9. UK Finance, New refinancing and releveraging mortgages, July 2024
10. RICS, Residential Market Survey, May 2024
11. Pegasus Insight, landlord Trends Report, Q1 2024
12. Office for National Statistics, Price Index of Private Rents, June 2024
13. UK Finance, BTL mortgages outstanding and gross lending, June 2024
14. UK Finance, BTL Product Transfers and other refinancing, June 2024
Segment review
The Group reports its lending business under two segments: OneSavings Bank and Charter Court Financial Services.
OneSavings Bank (OSB) segment
The following tables present OSB's contribution to profit and loans and advances to customers on a statutory basis:
Contribution to profit for the period
OSB Buy-to-Let/SME sub-segment
Loans and advances to customers
This sub-segment comprises Buy-to-Let mortgages secured on residential property held for investment purposes by experienced and professional landlords, commercial mortgages secured on commercial and semi-commercial properties held for investment purposes or for owner occupation, residential development finance to small and medium-sized developers, secured funding lines to other lenders and asset finance.
The Buy-to-Let/SME net loan book increased by 3% to £12,461.7m in the first six months of 2024 supported by originations of £996.8m, which decreased by 8% from £1,080.5m in the prior period as the Group focused on retaining professional, multi-property landlords.
Net interest income in this sub-segment decreased by 16% to £164.2m from £196.3m in the prior period, primarily due to the higher cost of retail funding and maturing fixed rate mortgages redeeming or switching onto lower prevailing spreads. The Group also recognised an effective interest rate (EIR) reset loss of £0.6m in the period (H1 2023: £2.6m loss).
Other income amounted to £2.7m and related to gains from hedging activities (H1 2023: £7.6m loss). The impairment charge of £2.4m (H1 2023: £34.4m) was largely due to modelled IFRS 9 stage migration, increase in arrears and individually assessed provisions. Overall, the Buy-to-Let/SME sub-segment made a contribution to profit of £164.5m, up 7% compared with £154.3m in the first six months of 2023, largely due to the lower impairment charge compared with the prior period.
The Group remained highly focused on the risk assessment of new lending, as demonstrated by the average loan to value (LTV) for Buy-to-Let/SME originations, which remained at 70%, unchanged from the prior period. The average book LTV in the Buy-to-Let/SME sub-segment increased to 70% as a result of house price reduction in the period, with 5.2% of loans exceeding 90% LTV (31 December 2023: 67% and 4.0%, respectively).
Buy-to-Let
The Buy-to-Let gross loan book increased by 4% to £11,161.7m at the end of June 2024 (31 December 2023 £10,764.5m) supported by originations of £762.9m, which reduced by 3% from £786.9m in the prior period and as the Group focused on retaining professional, multi-property landlords.
Refinance activity was strong in the period and the proportion of Kent Reliance Buy-to-Let completions represented by refinance increased to 63% (H1 2023: 59%). In addition, product transfers remained popular, with 74% of existing borrowers choosing a new product, under the Choices retention programme, within three months of their initial rate ending (H1 2023: 75%).
Product selection behaviour continued to change in line with anticipated interest rate movements. Five-year fixed rate products remained the most popular product type, representing 71% of Buy-to-Let completions (H1 2023: restated 76% ), although an increased number of borrowers preferred shorter-term fixed rate products amid expectation of future interest rate reductions.
Professional, multi-property landlords continued to add to their portfolios and optimise their businesses from a tax perspective and represented 92% of completions by value for the Kent Reliance brand (H1 2023: 91%) and 91% of mortgage purchase applications in Kent Reliance came from landlords borrowing via a limited company (H1 2023: 86%).
Research conducted by Pegasus Insight, on behalf of the Group, showed that the overall proportion of landlords planning to purchase new properties had fallen to 9% from 10% in the first quarter of 2023. However, of those planning to acquire more properties, the proportion planning to do so within a limited company ownership structure, preferred by professional landlords, remained high at 61% in the first quarter of 2024 (Q1 2023: 62%).
The weighted average LTV of the Buy-to-Let book as at 30 June 2024 increased to 69% from 66% at the end of 2023, as a result of house price reduction in the period and the average loan size remained unchanged from £255k at the end of 2023. The weighted average interest coverage ratio for Buy-to-Let originations during the first six months of 2024 remained high at 185% (H1 2023: 178%) despite higher mortgage interest rates, which were balanced by opportunities to increase rents.
Commercial
Through its InterBay brand, the Group lends to borrowers investing in commercial and semi-commercial property, reported in the Commercial total, and more complex Buy-to-Let properties and portfolios, reported in the Buy-to-Let total.
The gross loan book grew by 6% to £1,157.5m as at 30 June 2024 (31 December 2023: £1,095.7m) supported by originations and the proactive retention programme introduced towards the end of 2023. The Group concentrated on high quality commercial and semi-commercial business in the first half. Originations reduced to £137.0m from £193.7m in the prior period largely as a result of transferring origination of more complex Buy-to Let new business from the InterBay Commercial brand to the Kent Reliance Buy-to-Let brand to match the reporting of gross loans.
The weighted average LTV of the commercial book increased marginally to 74% and the average loan size remained unchanged at £410k for the first six months of 2024 (31 December 2023: 73% and £410k).
InterBay Asset Finance, which predominantly targets UK SMEs and small corporates financing business-critical assets, continued to grow in the first half of 2024, adding to its high-quality portfolio. The gross carrying amount under finance leases increased by 17% to £259.5m as at 30 June 2024 (31 December 2023: £222.7m).
Residential development
Our Heritable residential development business provides development finance to small and medium-sized residential property developers. The preference is to fund house builders who operate outside of central London and provide relatively affordable family housing, as opposed to complex city centre schemes where affordability and construction cost control can be more challenging. New applications predominantly represent repeat business from the team's extensive existing relationships.
The residential development finance gross loan book was £222.2m at the end of June 2024, with a further £128.0m committed (31 December 2023: £280.8m and £120.9m, respectively). Total approved limits were £519.0m (31 December 2023: £566.8m), exceeding drawn and committed funds due to the revolving nature of the facility where construction is phased and facilities are redrawn as sales on the initially developed properties occur.
At the end of June 2024, Heritable had commitments to finance the development of 2,187 residential units, the majority of which are houses located outside of central London.
Funding lines
OSB continued to provide secured funding lines to non-bank lenders which operate in certain high-yielding, specialist sub-segments, primarily secured against property-related mortgages. Total credit approved limits as at 30 June 2024 were £48.8m, with total loans outstanding of £23.6m (31 December 2023: £197.1m and £34.1m, respectively). During the period, the Group maintained a cautious risk approach focusing on servicing existing customers.
1. Proportion of 5 year fixed Buy-to-Let completions comparative was restated due to a change in calculation methodology.
2. Interest coverage ratio is calculated as gross rental income at origination divided by the interest payment at origination.
OSB Residential sub-segment
Loans and advances to customers
Residential mortgages are provided under the Kent Reliance brand, which largely serves prime credit quality borrowers with more complex circumstances. This includes high net worth individuals with multiple income sources and self-employed borrowers, as well as those buying a property in conjunction with a housing association under shared ownership schemes.
First charge
The first charge originations under Kent Reliance brand reduced by 26% to £133.7m in the first six months of 2024 (H1 2023: £179.7m) as demand for specialist mortgages was subdued due to high mortgage interest rates and the expectation of future interest rate reductions. The gross loan book increased by 3% to £2,271.1m compared to the prior period.
Net interest income in the Residential sub-segment decreased by 32% to £30.4m (H1 2023: £44.8m) due to the higher cost of retail funding and maturing fixed rate mortgages redeeming or switching onto lower prevailing spreads. The Group recognised an EIR reset loss of £1.5m (H1 2023: £0.2m loss). Other income of £0.5m (H1 2023: £2.3m expense) related to gains from hedging activities and an impairment charge of £1.4m (H1 2023: £4.8m) was largely due to write-offs in the second charge portfolio. The contribution to profit was £29.5m, down 22% from £37.7m in the prior period, broadly reflective of lower net interest income.
The average book LTV increased marginally to 49% as a result of house price reduction in the period, with only 3.8% of loans with LTVs exceeding 90% (31 December 2023: 48% and 2.2%, respectively). The average LTV of new residential origination in the first six months of 2024 increased to 64% (H1 2023: 62%) as a result of more mortgages completing at LTVs of 80% and above in the period.
Second charge
The OSB second charge mortgage book is in run-off and the gross loan book was £117.4m as at 30 June 2024 (31 December 2023: £135.1m).
Charter Court Financial Services (CCFS) segment
The following tables present the segment's contribution to profit and loans and advances to customers on an underlying basis, excluding acquisition-related items and the reconciliation to the statutory results.
Contribution to profit for the period
1. Other relates to net interest income from acquired loan portfolios as well as gains on structured asset sales, fee income from third party mortgage servicing and gains or losses on the Group's hedging activities.
2. For more details on acquisition-related adjustments, see Reconciliation of statutory to underlying results in the Financial review.
Loans and advances to customers
1. Other relates to acquired loan portfolios.
2. For more details on acquisition-related adjustments, see Reconciliation of statutory to underlying results in the Financial review.
CCFS segment
Underlying loans and advances to customers
1. Other relates to acquired loan portfolios
The CCFS segment comprises Buy-to-Let mortgages secured on residential property held for investment purposes by both non-professional and professional landlords, residential mortgages to owner-occupiers secured against residential properties including those unsupported by the high street banks, short-term bridging secured against residential property in both the regulated and unregulated sectors and the second charge loan book which is in run-off.
The CCFS underlying net loan book reduced by 1% to £11,275.8m at the end of June 2024 (31 December 2023: £11,341.4m) with a reduction of 26% in originations to £782.7m, from £1,060.3m of new business written in the same period last year.
CCFS Buy-to-Let sub-segment
In the first half of 2024, CCFS' originations in the Buy-to-Let sub-segment through the Precise brand decreased by 34% to £339.3m (H1 2023: £516.4m) as the Group chose not to offer mortgages at lower returns, especially in the second quarter, as competition increased. The underlying gross Buy-to-Let loan book remained broadly flat in the period at £7,904.6m from £7,921.5m at the end of 2023.
The proportion of remortgages decreased to 48% of completions under the Precise brand as at 30 June 2024 (H1 2023: 53%) demonstrating the relative strength of purchase activity. The Group was selective in offering retention products leading to 56% of existing customers choosing to switch to a new product with the Group within three months of their initial rate coming to an end (H1 2023: 59%).
Five-year fixed rate mortgages continued to be popular and accounted for 60% of Precise completions in the period (H1 2023: 66%). Borrowing through a limited company made up 68% of Buy-to-Let completions (H1 2023: 65%) and loans for specialist property types, including houses of multiple occupation and multi-unit properties, represented 27% of completions in this sub-segment (H1 2023: 18%).
Research conducted by Pegasus Insight on behalf of the Group in the first quarter of 2024, found that 83% of landlords reported strong rental demand from prospective tenants in the regions where they currently let property and that rental yields exceeded 6% in the first quarter of 2024, the highest level since the end of 2021.
The weighted average LTV of the loan book in this segment increased marginally to 69% (31 December 2023: 68%) as a result of house price reduction in the period. The new lending average LTV increased to 72% with average loan size remaining unchanged at £190k (H1 2023: 71% and £190k, respectively). The weighted average interest coverage ratio for Buy-to-Let origination increased to 161% (H1 2023: 154%) despite higher mortgage interest rates, which were balanced by opportunities to increase rents.
Underlying net interest income in this sub-segment increased to £97.6m compared with £3.1m in the prior period, primarily as a result of non-recurrence of the adverse effective interest rate (EIR) adjustment. The Group recognised an EIR reset gain of £2.3m (H1 2023: £137.7m loss) due to higher than expected income from early redemption charges. In the previous period, the adverse EIR adjustment related to the expectation that Precise borrowers would spend less time on the higher reversionary rate before refinancing, based on observed customer behavioural trends.
This segment recognised an impairment credit of £7.6m (H1 2023: £3.2m charge) largely due to updated macroeconomic scenarios, particularly house price improvement. On an underlying basis, the Buy-to-Let sub-segment made a contribution to profit of £105.2m in the first half of 2024 (H1 2023: £0.1m negative contribution).
On a statutory basis, the Buy-to-Let sub-segment made a contribution to profit of £99.9m (H1 2023: £30.8m negative contribution).
CCFS Residential sub-segment
The underlying gross loan book in CCFS' Residential sub-segment decreased by 1% to £2,988.0m at the end of June 2024 (31 December 2023: £3,026.0m). Originations were £251.5m in the first half of 2024, down by 21% from £317.2m as the Group chose not to offer mortgages at lower returns, especially in the second quarter, as competition increased.
The average loan size in this sub-segment was £160k (H1 2023: £152k) with an average LTV of new lending unchanged from the prior period at 62%. The average book LTV remained broadly stable at 60% as at 30 June 2024 (31 December 2023: 59%).
Underlying net interest income increased to £54.1m (H1 2023: £20.3m) largely due to the non-recurrence of the adverse EIR adjustment in the prior period. The Group recorded an EIR reset loss of £1.0m (H1 2023: £40.3m loss). In the prior period, the adverse EIR adjustment related to the expectation that Precise borrowers would spend less time on the higher reversionary rate before refinancing, based on observed customer behavioural trends.
The Residential sub-segment recorded an impairment credit of £1.1m compared to a charge of £1.8m in the first half of 2023 largely due to updated macroeconomic scenarios, particularly house price improvement. On an underlying basis, the Residential sub-segment made a contribution to profit of £55.2m, compared with £18.5m in the prior period.
On a statutory basis, the Residential sub-segment made a contribution to profit of £52.9m (H1 2023: £7.5m).
CCFS Bridging sub-segment
Short-term bridging originations decreased to £191.9m compared with £226.7m in the first half of 2023 as the Group concentrated on building a pipeline of high quality, high return business. The gross loan book in this sub-segment decreased by 3% to £324.7m as at 30 June 2024 (31 December 2023: £333.1m).
Underlying net interest income increased to £6.1m from £3.8m in the first half of 2023, and the impairment credit was £0.2m (H1 2023: £0.4m charge). Overall, the bridging sub-segment made a contribution to profit of £6.3m and £6.1m on an underlying and statutory basis, respectively (H1 2023: £3.4m and £2.6m).
CCFS Second charge sub-segment
The second charge gross loan book reduced to £72.0m compared with £83.0m as at 31 December 2023, as the Group no longer offers second charge products under the Precise brand and the book is in run-off.
1. Interest coverage ratio is calculated as gross rental income at origination divided by the interest payment at origination
2. The residential gross loan book excluded £93.5m of mortgage assets following the call and redemption in the first half of 2024 of CMF 2020-1 securitisation
Financial review
Summary statutory results
Review of the Group's performance on a statutory basis for the six months to 30 June 2024 and 2023.
1. For more detail on the calculation of key ratios, see the Appendix
Summary underlying results
Alternative performance measures
The Group presents alternative performance measures (APMs) below, as Management believe they provide a more consistent basis for comparing the Group's performance between financial periods.
Underlying results for the six months to 30 June 2024 and 30 June 2023 exclude acquisition-related items.
APMs reflect an important aspect of the way in which operating targets are defined and performance is monitored by the Board. However, any APMs in this document are not a substitute for IFRS measures and readers should consider the IFRS measures as well which can be found above.
For the reconciliation between APMs and the statutory equivalents, see the Appendix.
1. For more detail on the calculation of key ratios, see the Appendix
Profit before tax
The Group's profit before tax increased in the first half of 2024 largely due to the non-recurrence of the adverse effective interest rate (EIR) adjustment and net loan book growth. This was partially offset by maturing fixed term mortgages redeeming or switching onto lower prevailing spreads, continued recycling of the fixed rate deposit book onto higher rates and MREL issuance. Profit before tax also benefitted from an impairment credit compared to a charge in the previous period.
The Group's statutory effective tax rate for the first six months of 2024 was 26.2% compared with 22.9% in the prior period, predominantly due to the increase in the main rate of corporation tax and a larger proportion of the Group's profits subject to the bank surcharge, see note 7 to the consolidated financial statements.
Return on equity for the first half of 2024 increased in line with profitability in the period and basic earnings per share also increased reflecting higher profit after tax.
Net interest income and net interest margin
Net interest income increased in the first six months of 2024 benefitting from the non-recurrence of the adverse EIR adjustment recorded in the prior period and net loan book growth, particularly in the second half of 2023. This was partially offset by maturing fixed term mortgages redeeming or switching onto lower prevailing spreads, continued recycling of the fixed rate deposit book onto higher rates and MREL issuance.
The Group recognised an EIR reset loss for the first half of £0.8m on a statutory and underlying basis compared with an adverse EIR adjustment of £208.5m and £180.7m, respectively in the prior period. While there were no changes to behavioural assumptions in the first half, in the prior period the adverse EIR adjustment primarily related to the expectation that Precise borrowers would spend less time on the higher reversionary rate before refinancing based on observed customer behavioural trends. The adverse EIR adjustment in the prior period accounted for 151bps and 130bps of net interest margin and underlying net interest margin, respectively.
Net interest margin increased in the first half of 2024 compared with the prior period largely due to non-recurrence of the adverse EIR adjustment partially offset by maturing fixed term mortgages redeeming or switching onto lower prevailing spreads, continued recycling of the fixed rate deposit book onto higher rates and MREL issuance.
In the second quarter, the Group commenced the implementation of an equity structural hedge comprising a series of receive fixed rate swaps, to reduce earnings volatility due to interest rate changes arising from the portion of the balance sheet funded by equity. The Group continued to hedge its fixed rate mortgage portfolio in full with pay fixed rate swaps. The equity structural hedge was not designated as a hedge under IFRS 9, and to minimise fair value volatility through the income statement, an equivalent portion of the existing mortgage hedge was de-designated. The equity structural hedge has a weighted average life of 2.5 years and the notional amount was £501.0m as at 30 June 2024.
Other operating income mainly comprised CCFS' commissions and servicing fees, including those relating to securitised loans, which have been derecognised from the Group's balance sheet.
Net fair value loss on financial instruments
Net fair value gain on financial instruments included a loss of £15.7m (H1 2023: £29.0m loss) from hedge ineffectiveness and a gain on unmatched swaps of £23.3m (H1 2023: £17.1m gain). The Group also recorded a £1.8m loss from the amortisation of hedge accounting inception adjustments (H1 2023: £2.4m loss), a £2.0m gain (H1 2023: £5.1m gain) from the amortisation of acquisition-related hedge accounting inception adjustments, and a statutory net loss of £1.9m from other items (H1 2023: £1.1m gain), see note 5 to the consolidated financial statements. On an underlying basis, other items amounted to a loss of £2.8m (H1 2023: £2.9m loss).
The loss in respect of the ineffective portion of hedges arose from recent swap volatility and will unwind over the remaining life of the hedged fixed term mortgages and retail savings bonds.
The net gain on unmatched swaps related primarily to fair value movements on mortgage pipeline swaps, prior to them being matched against completed mortgages, and was caused by an increase in interest rate outlook on the SONIA yield curve. The Group economically hedges its committed pipeline of mortgages and this unrealised gain unwinds over the life of the swaps through hedge accounting inception adjustments.
Administrative expenses
Administrative expenses increased in the first half of 2024 largely due to the planned investment in people and operations, including further spend on the digitalisation programme to enhance customer solutions, and the new Bank of England levy.
The Group's management expense ratio increased in the first half of 2024 reflecting higher administrative expenses and the cost to income ratio improved primarily as a result of non-recurrence of the adverse EIR adjustment.
Impairment of financial assets
The Group recorded an impairment credit and a favourable loan loss ratio for the first six months of 2024 due to an improved macroeconomic outlook, particularly in relation to house price performance.
As the outlook improved, the Group updated the forward-looking macroeconomic scenarios used in its IFRS 9 models resulting in a release of £24.7m, largely due to house price improvement. It was partially offset by a £7.5m charge relating to an increase in provision for accounts with arrears of three months or more, a £3.5m charge for changes in borrowers' profiles as they transitioned through modelled IFRS 9 stages and a £3.4m charge for individually assessed provisions and other balance sheet movements. Model enhancements and post model adjustments largely relating to the impact of the higher cost of borrowing amounted to a charge of £1.6m. Stage 1 provisions in respect of loan book growth were a £1.3m charge. Write offs and other charges were £2.7m and £2.2m on a statutory and underlying basis, respectively. See Risk review for further details.
In the first half of 2023, the impairment charge was largely due to changes in the credit profile of borrowers as they transitioned through modelled IFRS 9 impairment stages, more adverse forward-looking macroeconomic scenarios and enhancements to models and post model adjustments to reflect the deterioration in the outlook.
Dividend
The Group's dividend policy is to declare interim dividends equal to one-third of the prior year's total dividend. The Board has therefore declared an interim dividend of 10.7 pence per share for the first half of 2024, based on the full year 2023 dividend of 32.0 pence per share.
The declared dividend will be paid on 20 September 2024, with an ex-dividend date of 22 August 2024 and a record date of 23 August 2024.
Balance sheet growth
Growth in net loans and advances to customers in the period was supported by mortgage originations of £1.9bn in the first half.
Total assets grew by 4% in the first six months of the year largely due to higher liquid assets as Bank of England's Term Funding Scheme for SMEs (TFSME) funding was replaced by retail deposits with a shorter contractual maturity and growth in net loans and advances to customers.
Retail deposits increased by 10% as the Group continued to repay its drawings under TFSME and replace them with retail deposits. During the first half, the Group repaid £1.7bn of this facility and had a further £1.6bn of drawings outstanding as at 30 June 2024.
Liquidity
OSB and CCFS operate under the Prudential Regulation Authority's liquidity regime and are managed separately for liquidity risk. Each Bank holds its own significant liquidity buffer of liquidity coverage ratio (LCR) eligible high-quality liquid assets (HQLA).
Each Bank operates within a target liquidity runway in excess of the minimum LCR regulatory requirement, which is based on internal stress testing. Each Bank has a range of contingent liquidity and funding options available for possible stress periods.
The Group also held portfolios of unencumbered prepositioned Bank of England level B and C eligible collateral in the Bank of England Single Collateral Pool.
As at 30 June 2024, liquidity coverage ratios were all significantly in excess of the regulatory minimum of 100% plus Individual Liquidity Guidance.
Capital
The Group's capital position remained strong, with the CET1 and total capital ratios broadly unchanged compared with year end. Profit generated in the first six months of 2024 increased the CET1 ratio by 1.5% and the £50m share repurchase programme announced in March 2024 reduced it by 0.4%.
The combined Group had a Pillar 2a requirement of 1.27% of risk-weighted assets (excluding a static integration add-on of £19.5m) as at 30 June 2024, unchanged from the requirement as at 31 December 2023.
Reconciliation of statutory to underlying results
Notes to the reconciliation of statutory to underlying results table:
1. Amortisation of the net fair value uplift to CCFS' mortgage loans and retail deposits on Combination
2. Inception adjustment on CCFS' derivative assets and liabilities on Combination
3. Amortisation of intangible assets recognised on Combination
4. Adjustment to expected credit losses on CCFS loans on Combination
5. Recognition of a fair value uplift to CCFS' loan book less accumulated amortisation of the fair value uplift and a movement on credit provisions
6. Fair value adjustment to hedged assets
7. Adjustment to deferred tax asset and recognition of acquired intangibles on Combination
8. Adjustment to deferred tax liability and other acquisition-related adjustments
Risk review
Key areas of focus during the six months to 30 June 2024
The Group continued to deliver against key strategic risk objectives during the first six months of 2024, including the priority areas set out in the 2023 Annual Report and Accounts. The Group has performed strongly against its key risk objectives in a challenging economic and business environment. The Group continued to operate within the confines of a prudent risk appetite.
The macroeconomic outlook for the United Kingdom has shown signs of improving over the first half of 2024, with anticipated political stability post the conclusion of the general election, inflation returning to target levels and no further tightening of monetary policy. Interest rates are expected to remain at an elevated level with rate reductions yet to commence. House prices and unemployment rates have been resilient relative to expectations.
The Group's fully secured loan portfolios continued to exhibit resilient performance as a result of the credit profile of its borrowers, robust affordability assessments and prudent levels of supporting security. The Group's loan portfolio experienced an increase in arrears in 2023, however, this has shown signs of stabilisation in 2024 with actual arrears performance being within the arrears forecasts used for credit loss provisioning. The latest macroeconomic observations and outlook were reflected in the Group's modelled credit risk assessment and the Group remains confident in its cautious and proactive approach to expected credit loss provisioning.
We made no changes in the first half to the behavioural assumptions used in revenue recognition under the EIR approach. Although Precise borrowers spent less time on the reversion rate in the second quarter, based on limited observations and other wider macroeconomic factors, we did not consider this to be a trend. Borrowers' behaviour can be variable as base rate and market dynamics change and we will continue to monitor their behaviour for any potential impact on the measurement of EIR.
The Group's risk management framework has ensured that the evolving nature of the Group's risk profile is subject to active risk identification, assessment and monitoring in relation to the Board approved risk appetite and prudential and conduct based regulations. The Group risk management framework is subject to continuous review and assurance to ensure its effectiveness in design and implementation.
The Group has continued to invest in its risk management capabilities and deepening its disciplines across a number of key areas. In particular, the Risk function has continued to further improve its risk and capital modelling capabilities and further embed its operational risk disciplines in the context of change management and IT risk. The Group delivered against its closed book implementation plans for the Financial Conduct Authority's (FCA) Consumer Duty regulations in line with required deadlines and continued to be well positioned to demonstrate compliance with its ongoing Consumer Duty obligations.
A full review of the Group's risk appetite statements and limits across all principal risk types was undertaken during the six months to 30 June 2024, in the context of the Group's available financial resources, strategic objectives and regulatory expectations. The Group's risk appetite is underpinned by detailed stress testing analysis which considers performance over a range of extreme but plausible scenarios, and therefore provides the Board with confidence that the Group has more than sufficient financial resources and operational capacity to manage the impact of the ongoing economic and operational uncertainty.
Through a period of economic change and uncertain outlook, the Group's underlying credit profile has remained resilient. Loan book growth was undertaken responsibly and subject to strict lending criteria and, although property valuations were adjusted to reflect reductions in property prices, loan to values remained strong. The loan to value profile of the Group's lending portfolios protects the Group from realising losses, should an account have to be repossessed and the property sold. Operating in a higher interest rate environment impacted loan affordability while interest coverage ratios for new lending increased.
The Group has successfully leveraged its improved credit risk analytics and governance arrangements to actively monitor and manage the Group's credit profile, taking timely actions where required. The Group successfully implemented an enhanced Group wide stress testing model which enables a more granular assessment of the Group's loan portfolios under standardised, IRB and Basel 3.1 approaches. The Board reviewed capital projections across a range of economic scenarios and Basel 3.1 outcomes.
During the six months to 30 June 2024 the Group continued to generate capital and funded growth through retail and wholesale channels. The Group continued to operate with material capital and liquidity surpluses to its regulatory and internal stress-based requirements. A number of reverse stress tests were performed to identify the severity of macroeconomic scenarios that would be required to result in the Group and its entities breaching minimum regulatory requirements. These assessments were utilised in the going concern assessment, which demonstrated the Group's inherent resilience to extreme stress scenarios.
The Group continued to observe a low level of operational risk losses and conducted a detailed risk and control self-assessment to ensure risks and controls were fully understood and well managed. The Board received risk reports articulating the effectiveness of key controls across the Group.
The Group continued to invest in people, our technology infrastructure and enhancements to our increasingly digital customer propositions. To ensure that change risk is managed effectively, dedicated resources have been onboarded, a change risk framework has been implemented and defined change risk metrics, risk appetite and limits have been established.
The Group continued to enhance its approach to compliance with Internal Ratings-Based (IRB) disciplines underpinned by ongoing self-assessment reviews against regulatory standards, emerging guidelines and the PRA's feedback to the industry. The Group continued to engage with the regulator ahead of commencing the formal application process. Underlying IRB capabilities and disciplines have become progressively integrated into the Group's business planning, risk, capital, IT and data management disciplines.
Ensuring that the Group continued to maintain appropriate expected credit loss provisions was an important consideration of the Board and senior management. The Group undertook detailed analysis to assess portfolio risks and underlying performance and considered if this was adequately accounted for in IFRS 9 models and frameworks. Benchmarking analysis was provided to the Board and senior management, enabling review and challenge of provision coverage levels and underlying macroeconomic scenarios. As a result of the improving economic outlook and positive borrower performance, the Group reduced provision levels as at 30 June 2024.
The Group began implementation of an equity structural hedge in the second quarter of 2024 in order to reduce earnings volatility due to interest rate changes arising from the portion of the balance sheet funded by equity. As at 30 June 2024, the equity structural hedge comprised a series of receive fixed rate swaps with a weighted average life of 2.5 years and a notional amount of £501.0m.
The Group further implemented capabilities to ensure compliance with the Bank of England's resolvability assessment framework requirements. In January 2024, the Group successfully issued a further £400m of MREL qualifying senior notes and as a result met its interim MREL requirements ahead of the July 2024 compliance date.
The Group made progress in its approach to managing climate risk by further embedding its climate risk management framework. A dedicated ESG Technical Committee ensured that enhancements were delivered as required.
P rincipal risks and uncertainties
The Board is responsible for determining the nature and extent of the principal risks it is willing to take in order to achieve its strategic objectives.
During the six months to 30 June 2024, the Board did not see a significant change in the principal risks and uncertainties as disclosed on pages 53 to 61 of the 2023 Annual Report and Accounts.
The table below provides a high-level overview of the principal risks which the Board believes are the most material with respect to potential adverse impact on the business model, future financial performance, solvency and liquidity.
Emerging risks
The Group proactively scans for emerging risks which may have an impact on its operations and strategy. The Group considers its top emerging risks to be:
Risk Profile Performance Overview
Credit risk
The Group's underlying credit profile remained resilient during the six months to 30 June 2024.
The Group's statutory net loans and advances increased to £26.1bn as at 30 June 2024 from £25.8bn at the end of 2023.
Average weighted interest coverage ratios across Buy-to-Let originations remained strong at 185% for OSB and 161% for CCFS (30 June 2023: 178% for OSB and 154% for CCFS). The improvement in interest coverage ratios reflects the stability in interest rates since August 2023.
The proportion of the Group's residential first charge mortgage portfolios with higher loan to income multiples (greater than four) remained low.
The Group's prudent risk appetite and well-established underwriting processes supported new mortgage lending at sensible average weighted loan to value levels of 69% for OSB and 67% for CCFS (30 June 2023: OSB 69%, CCFS 66%).
As a result of house price depreciation in the period, the average weighted loan to value of the Group's book increased from 64% as at 31 December 2023 to 66% as at 30 June 2024. The Group's ability to absorb any future economic shocks remained robust. The total average book loan to value ratios remained resilient at 66% for both OSB and CCFS (31 December 2023: 63% and 65%, respectively).
Forward-looking internal and external credit scoring metrics remained strong, taking into account internal performance and customers' wider credit obligation performance.
Group balances with greater than three months arrears increased marginally to 1.6% (31 December 2023: 1.4%). OSB's greater than three months in arrears levels increased to 1.9% (31 December 2023: 1.6%), whilst CCFS's increased to 1.3% (31 December 2023: 1.2%). The levels of new forbearance requests increased in the period, reflecting the growth in arrears.
Expected credit losses
The Group recorded a statutory impairment credit of £4.7m for the six months to 30 June 2024 (H1 2023: £44.6m charge) which represented a statutory loan loss ratio of -4bps compared to 37bps in the first half of 2023.
The primary drivers of the impairment trends observed in the period were as follows:
a. Macroeconomic impact
The Group continued to receive regular macroeconomic scenario updates from its advisers, which were reviewed and discussed by management and the Board, along with the probability weightings applied to each scenario.
The macroeconomic scenarios utilised within the IFRS 9 provisioning process as at 30 June 2024 forecast an improved outlook as the United Kingdom economy showed signs of stabilising with inflation returning to target levels and no further tightening of monetary policy applied. The macroeconomic scenarios were particularly improved in relation to house price performance which were the main driver of the provision release in the period. The probability weighting assigned to each scenario remained unchanged from 31 December 2023.
Macroeconomic scenarios utilised within IFRS 9 impairment calculations as at 30 June 2024:
In the upside scenario, the performance of the economy with positive GDP and corporate resilience, drives inflation above the 2% target for longer and the BoE Monetary Policy Committee consider it appropriate to continue with the policy of increasing base rate. The reverse is true in the downside scenarios where negative GDP is paired with a quicker reduction in inflation and the BoE has less reason to continue raising rates. High inflation combined with a high interest rate risk in the downside scenario is captured by the Post Model Adjustments (PMAs).
The improved forward-looking macroeconomic scenarios in the Group's IFRS 9 models together with house price improvement in the period accounted for a £24.7m impairment release.
b. Model enhancements and post model adjustments
The Group's technical Model Governance Committee received regular model performance reports prepared by the Group's Models and Ratings function. Where required, proposals were made to ensure that modelled estimates continued to mirror recently observed outcomes. Prior to each reporting period the logic which determines whether accounts not in arrears should be moved to stage 2 is reviewed.
Calibrations to the IFRS 9 models and PMAs to account for risks not fully captured within the framework resulted in an impairment charge of £1.6m.
c. Arrears flow
Although the Group's arrears remained broadly stable, there was an additional impairment charge of £7.5m driven by accounts with arrears over three months.
d. Stage migration
An impairment charge of £3.5m related to changes in the credit profile of borrowers as they transitioned through modelled IFRS 9 impairment stages. This charge included closures but also where the Group observed a significant increase in credit risk, higher default rates, early arrears or forbearance.
e. New lending
The Group's Stage 1 impairment balance increased by £1.3m as a result of new lending in the period.
f. Individually assessed provisions and other
The Group's specialist Real Estate Management and Financial Support teams maintained watchlists of loans where objective evidence of impairment existed over a given exposure. For these specific loans, a detailed assessment of the collateral and circumstances of the arrears was completed and, where required, an individual impairment provision was raised based on this updated information which replaced any modelled provisions held.
During the six months to 30 June 2024, the Group raised a number of additional individual provisions against a small number of counterparties, which net of other items accounted for a further charge of £3.4m. Included in this were cross contingency defaults where a borrower had multiple facilities, all facilities are considered in default when a minimum threshold of the borrower's exposure was classified as defaulted, noting the majority of cross contingency defaults were up to date.
In addition to the above, the impairment credit in the income statement included a charge of £2.7m related to write offs and other adjustments.
The table below indicates the provision coverage levels as at 30 June 2024:
Provision levels remained stable with a coverage ratio of 0.53% as at 30 June 2024 (31 December 2023: 0.56%). The improved macroeconomic outlook has provided some release within the impairment calculations whilst model and staging rule updates, post model adjustment updates, individually assessed provisions raised against a small number of loans and general changes to the underlying risk of the portfolio, using both external and internal variables to assess risk, resulted in increased provision balances.
Liquidity and funding risk
The Group's Liquidity Working Group continued to monitor daily liquidity reporting and forecasting to ensure liquidity levels remained at target levels.
The Group continued to be predominantly funded by retail savings. Only 7.9% of direct deposits were above the FSCS protection limit as at 30 June 2024 (31 December 2023: 7.5%). All deposits received via deposit aggregators were assumed not to be protected by FSCS, as the Group was not regularly provided with the individual customer data for these deposits.
Diversification of funding was provided by borrowing from the Bank of England under its funding schemes. As at 30 June 2024, the Group's borrowing under the Term Funding Scheme for SMEs was £1.6bn, with £1.7bn repaid in 2024 in addition to the £0.9m repaid in 2023.
Securitisation remained central to the Group's liability management strategy, as well as being a key funding source. In the first half of 2024, the Group completed securitisations of owner-occupied and Buy-to-let mortgages originated by Precise under the CMF and PMF programmes.
Liquidity coverage ratios remained strong at 231% for OSB and 142% for CCFS (31 December 2023: OSB 208% and CCFS 139%) versus the regulatory minimum of 100% plus Individual Liquidity Guidance.
Market risk
Interest rate risk is the key market risk the Group is exposed to. Gap and basis risk are managed within defined risk appetite limits for each bank. The Group's Treasury function actively hedges risk to match the timing of cash flows from assets and liabilities for each Bank.
The Group has a small amount of foreign exchange exposure, due to the rupee denominated running costs of the OSB India operation. Rupee denominated running costs during the period to 30 June 2024 totalled £8.3m (30 June 2023: £7.2m).
The Group began implementation of an equity structural hedge in the second quarter of 2024 in order to reduce earnings volatility due to interest rate changes arising from the portion of the balance sheet funded by equity. The equity structural hedge comprised of a series of receive fixed rate swaps with a weighted average life of 2.5 years and a notional amount of £501.0m as at 30 June 2024.
Solvency risk
Solvency risk is a function of balance sheet growth, profitability, access to capital markets and regulatory changes. The Group actively monitors all key drivers of solvency risk and takes prompt action to maintain its solvency ratios at acceptable levels.
The Group remained profitable within the period and the Group's capital resources remained strong with the CET1 ratio at 16.2% (31 December 2023: 16.1%).
The Group's total capital ratio remained strong at 19.5% (31 December 2023: 19.5%) with AT1 capital constituting 1.2% (31 December 2023: 1.3%) of that ratio and Tier 2 capital a further 2.1% (31 December 2023: 2.1%).
The Group's minimum total capital requirement at 30 June 2023 was 9.43% of risk-weighted assets consisting of Pillar 1 capital of 8.0% and Pillar 2a capital of 1.43% and the Group was subject to a UK Capital Conservation Buffer of 2.5% and Countercyclical Buffer of 2.0%. Of the 9.43% total capital requirement, at least 5.31% must be met with CET1 capital.
The Group's leverage ratio at 30 June 2024 remained strong at 7.6% (31 December 2023: 7.5%).
In January 2024, the Group successfully issued a further £400m of MREL qualifying senior debt securities and as a result met its interim MREL requirements prior to the July 2024 compliance date.
Conduct risk
The Group considers its culture and behaviour in ensuring the delivery of good customer outcomes and in maintaining the integrity of the market sub-segments in which it operates to be a fundamental part of its strategy and a key driver to sustainable profitability and growth.
The Group does not tolerate any systemic failure to deliver good customer outcomes. On an isolated basis, incidents can result in detriment owing to human and/or operational failures. Where such incidents occur, they are thoroughly investigated, and the appropriate remedial actions are taken to address any customer detriment and to prevent recurrence.
The Group considers effective conduct risk management to be a product of the positive behaviour of all employees, influenced by the customer-centric culture throughout the organisation and therefore continues to promote a strong sense of awareness and accountability.
Statement of Directors' Responsibilities
We, the Directors listed below, confirm that to the best of our knowledge:
• the interim condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34, Interim Financial Reporting, as adopted by the United Kingdom (UK); and
• the interim management report includes a fair review of the information required by:
(a) DTR 4.2.7R of the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules, being an indication of important events that have occurred during the first six months of the financial year and their impact on the interim condensed financial statements; and a description of the principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining six months of the financial year; and
(b) DTR 4.2.8R of the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules, being related party transactions that have taken place in the first six months of the financial year and that have materially affected the financial position or performance of the Group during that period; and any changes in the related party transactions described in the last Annual Report and Accounts that could do so.
Kal Atwal
Henry Daubeney (Appointed on 1 July 2024)
Andy Golding
Noël Harwerth
Sarah Hedger
Victoria Hyde (Appointed on 22 July 2024)
Rajan Kapoor
Simon Walker
David Weymouth
By order of the Board
Date: 15 August 2024
Independent Review Report to OSB GROUP PLC
Conclusion
We have been engaged by OSB GROUP PLC and its subsidiaries (the Group) to review the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report for the six months ended 30 June 2024 which comprises the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income, the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position, the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity, the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows and related notes 1 to 35.
Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report for the six months ended 30 June 2024 is not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with United Kingdom adopted International Accounting Standard 34 and the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority.
Basis for Conclusion
We conducted our review in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements (UK) 2410 “Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity” issued by the Financial Reporting Council for use in the United Kingdom (ISRE (UK) 2410). A review of interim financial information consists of making inquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures. A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) and consequently does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion.
As disclosed in note 1, the annual financial statements of the Group are prepared in accordance with United Kingdom adopted international accounting standards. The condensed set of financial statements included in this half-yearly financial report has been prepared in accordance with United Kingdom adopted International Accounting Standard 34, “Interim Financial Reporting”.
Conclusion Relating to Going Concern
Based on our review procedures, which are less extensive than those performed in an audit as described in the Basis for Conclusion section of this report, nothing has come to our attention to suggest that the directors have inappropriately adopted the going concern basis of accounting or that the directors have identified material uncertainties relating to going concern that are not appropriately disclosed.
This conclusion is based on the review procedures performed in accordance with ISRE (UK) 2410; however future events or conditions may cause the entity to cease to continue as a going concern.
Responsibilities of the directors
The directors are responsible for preparing the half-yearly financial report in accordance with the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority.
In preparing the half-yearly financial report, the directors are responsible for assessing the Group's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the Company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
Auditor's Responsibilities for the review of the financial information
In reviewing the half-yearly financial report, we are responsible for expressing to the Group a conclusion on the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report. Our conclusions, including our conclusion relating to going concern, are based on procedures that are less extensive than audit procedures, as described in the Basis for Conclusion paragraph of this report.
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the Group in accordance with ISRE (UK) 2410. Our work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Group those matters we are required to state to it in an independent review report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Group, for our review work, for this report, or for the conclusions we have formed.
Deloitte LLP
Statutory Auditor
London, United Kingdom
15 August 2024
The above results are derived wholly from continuing operations.
Notes 1 to 35 form part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
Notes 1 to 35 form part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
The condensed consolidated financial statements on pages 44 to 47 were approved by the Board of Directors on 15 August 2024 and signed on its behalf by:
Andy Golding Victoria Hyde
Chief Executive Officer Chief Financial Officer
Company number: 11976839
1. Accounting policies
a) Basis of preparation
These interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules (DTR) of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 Interim Financial Reporting as adopted by the United Kingdom (UK).
The accounting policies, presentation and methods of computation are consistent with those applied by the Group in its latest audited financial statements, which were prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the UK and interpretations issued by the IFRS Interpretations Committee (IFRS IC). They do not include all the information required for a complete set of IFRS financial statements. However, selected explanatory notes are included to explain events and transactions that are significant to an understanding of the changes in the Group's financial position and performance since the last Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2023.
The comparative figures for the year ended 31 December 2023 are not the Group's statutory accounts for that financial year. The statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2023 have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies in England and Wales in accordance with section 447 of the Companies Act 2006. The auditor has reported on those accounts. Their report was unqualified; did not include a reference to any matters to which the auditor drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying their report, and did not contain a statement under section 498(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.
These interim condensed consolidated financial statements were authorised for issue by the Company's Board of Directors on 15 August 2024.
b) Accounting standards
Standards and amendments effective in 2024
There were a number of minor amendments to financial reporting standards that were in issue and effective from 1 January 2024. The adoption of these amendments has not had a material impact on the Group.
Standards not yet effective
No new or revised reporting standards significantly affecting the Group's accounting have been issued since the approval of the 2023 Annual Report and Accounts, other than IFRS 18.
In April 2024, the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) released IFRS 18 Presentation and Disclosure in Financial Statements which is designed to give more comparability between entities in the presentation and classification of items within the income statement and around management-defined performance measures. The Group is currently assessing the impacts of this standard.
All other accounting policies applied are consistent with those set out on pages 197 to 206 of the 2023 Annual Report and Accounts.
c) Going concern
The Board undertakes regular rigorous assessments of whether the Group is a going concern in light of current and potential future economic conditions and available information about future risks and uncertainties.
1. Accounting policies (continued)
In assessing whether the going concern basis is appropriate, projections for the Group have been prepared, covering its future performance, capital and liquidity for a period in excess of 12 months from
the date of approval of these interim condensed consolidated financial statements. These forecasts have been subject to sensitivity tests utilising a range of stress scenarios, which have been compared to the latest economic scenarios provided by the Group's external economic advisors, as well as reverse stress tests.
The assessments included the following:
The Group's financial projections demonstrate that the Group has sufficient capital and liquidity to continue to meet its regulatory capital requirements as set out by the PRA.
The Board has therefore concluded that the Group has sufficient resources to continue in operational existence for a period in excess of 12 months from the date of approval of these interim financial statements and, as a result, it is appropriate to prepare these interim condensed consolidated financial statements on a going concern basis.
1. Accounting policies (continued)
d) Segmental reporting
IFRS 8 requires operating segments to be identified on the basis of internal reports and components of the Group which are regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker to allocate resources to segments and to assess their performance. For this purpose, the chief operating decision maker of the Group is the Board of Directors.
The Group provides loans, asset finance and retail deposits within the UK. The Group segments its lending business and operates under two segments:
The Group has disclosed relevant risk management tables in note 29 at a sub-segment level to provide detailed analysis of the Group's core lending business.
2. Judgements in applying accounting policies and critical accounting estimates
The preparation of the interim condensed consolidated financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the reported income and expense, assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingencies at the date of the interim condensed consolidated financial statements. Although these estimates and assumptions are based on management's best judgement at that date, actual results may differ from these estimates. Estimates and assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised and in any future periods affected.
As set out in the Risk review on page 61 of the 2023 Annual Report and Accounts, climate change is a global challenge and an emerging risk to businesses, people and the environment. Therefore, in preparing the financial statements, the Group has considered the impact of climate-related risks on its financial position and performance, including the impact on expected credit losses (ECL) and redemption profiles included in effective interest rate (EIR). While the effects of climate change represent a source of uncertainty, the Group does not consider there to be a material impact on its judgements and estimates from the physical or transition risks in the short term. As part of the Group's recognition of climate risk and overall Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) agenda, the Group considers the physical risks of climate change with the removal of the transitional risk to reflect Government's decision to postpone the EPC Climate Bill. The transitional risk was the most significant component of the post model adjustment (PMA) that considered properties with lower energy efficiency likely to require investment to reach minimum energy efficiency standards, and has such resulted in the reduction in the PMA where the Group held £0.3m (31 December 2023: £0.5m) as disclosed in note 16.
Estimates and judgements are regularly reviewed based on past experience, expectations of future events and other factors.
The judgements made by the Group in the application of its accounting policies are consistent with those set out on pages 206 to 208 of the 2023 Annual Report and Accounts.
The following estimates may have a significant risk of material adjustment to the carrying amount of assets within the next financial period.
2. Judgements in applying accounting policies and critical accounting estimates (continued)
(i) Loan book impairments
Set out below are details of the critical accounting estimates which underpin loan impairment calculations. Less significant estimates are not discussed as they do not have a material effect. The Group has recognised total impairments of £138.4m (31 December 2023: £145.8m) at the reporting date as disclosed in note 13.
Modelled impairment
Modelled provision assessments are subject to estimation uncertainty, underpinned by a number of estimates being made by management which are utilised within impairment calculations. Key areas of estimation within modelled provisioning calculations include those regarding the loss given default (LGD) model and forward-looking macroeconomic scenarios.
Loss given default model
The Group has a number of LGD models, which include estimates regarding propensity to go to possession given default (PPD), forced sale discount, time to sale and sale costs. The LGD is sensitive to the application of the House Price Index (HPI), with an 8% haircut considered to be a reasonable percentage change when reviewing historical and expected 12 month outcomes. The table below shows the resulting incremental provision required in an 8% house price haircut being directly applied to all exposures which not only adjust the sale discount but the propensity to go to possession:
Forward-looking macroeconomic scenarios
The Group's macroeconomic scenarios can be found in the Risk review section on page 37. The following tables detail the ECL scenario sensitivity analysis with each scenario weighted at 100% probability. The purpose of using multiple economic scenarios is to model the non-linear impact of assumptions surrounding macroeconomic factors and ECL calculated:
2. Judgements in applying accounting policies and critical accounting estimates (continued)
2. Judgements in applying accounting policies and critical accounting estimates (continued)
(ii) Effective interest rate on lending
Estimates are made when calculating the EIR for newly-originated loan assets. These include the likely customer redemption profiles. Mortgage products offered by the Group include directly attributable net fee income and a period on reversion rates after the fixed/ discount period.
Products revert to the standard variable rate (SVR) or Base rate plus a margin for the Kent Reliance (OSB) brand, a SONIA/Base rate plus a margin for the Precise (CCFS) brand and a LIBOR replacement rate/Base rate for the InterBay brand. Subsequent to origination, changes in actual and expected customer prepayment rates are reflected as increases or decreases in the carrying value of loan assets with a corresponding increase or decrease in interest income. The Group uses historical customer behaviours, expected take-up rate of retention products and macroeconomic forecasts in its assessment of expected prepayment rates. Customer prepayments in a fixed rate or incentive period can give rise to Early Repayment Charge (ERC) income.
Judgement is used in estimating the expected average life of a mortgage, to determine the quantum and timing of redemptions that incur ERCs, the period over which net fee income is recognised and the length of time customers spend on reversion after the fixed/discounted period. Estimates are reviewed regularly and during the first half of 2024, the Group applied behavioural assumptions for both the fixed period and the reversionary period across all the lending portfolios that were consistent with year-end 2023. Although Precise borrowers spent less time on the reversion rate in the second quarter, based on limited observations and other wider macroeconomic factors, we did not consider this to be a trend. Borrowers' behaviour can be variable as base rate and market dynamics change and we will continue to monitor their behaviour for any potential impact on the measurement of EIR. The statutory EIR reset loss was £0.8m for the first half of 2024 (30 June 2023: adverse EIR adjustment of £208.5m) which reduced net interest income and loans and advances to customers.
A three months' movement in the weighted average time spent in the reversion period for Precise customers is considered to be a reasonably possible change in assumption in a dynamic interest rate environment and an uncertain macroeconomic outlook. The impact of a -/+ 3 months movement in time spent on reversion by Precise customers is -/+ £66.0m. The majority of this sensitivity applies to lending maturing through to the end of 2027. The sensitivity of loans reaching the end of their fixed period from 2028 onwards is a much smaller component of the total due to the lower differential between the fixed rate and the assumed reversion rate.
As the Bank of England Base Rate (BBR) increased throughout 2022 and 2023, using the effective interest rate approach resulted in additional monthly net interest income as the benefit of time spent on a reversion rate became greater. If BBR decreases this will lead to a decrease in monthly net interest income. Based on the loans and advances to customers balance as at 30 June 2024, if there was a 50bps parallel shift in the forward curve, it is estimated that this would decrease monthly interest income by £1.3m across Precise and Kent Reliance mortgages.
3. Interest receivable and similar income
4. Interest payable and similar charges
1. The amortisation relates to hedged liabilities where the hedges were terminated before maturity and were effective at the point of termination
5. Fair value gains/(losses) on financial instruments
6. Administrative expenses
The average number of people employed by the Group (including Executive Directors) during the period is analysed below:
7. Taxation
The Group publishes its tax strategy on its corporate website. The table below shows the components of the Group's tax charge for the period:
7. Taxation (continued)
The charge for taxation on the Group's profit before taxation differs from the charge based on the standard rate of UK Corporation Tax of 25.0% (2023: 23.5%) as follows:
7. Taxation (continued)
Factors affecting tax charge for the period
The standard rate of UK corporation tax applicable in the period was 25.0% (2023: 23.5%). The Group's banking entities also pay the bank surcharge at 3.0% (2023: 4.25%) on combined profits for the full year above £100.0m (2023: £81.3m).
The effective tax rate for the period ended 30 June 2024, excluding the impact of adjustments in respect of earlier years, was 26.2% (2023: 22.9%). This is higher than the standard rate of UK corporation tax, principally due to the impact of the bank surcharge payable by the two banking entities, offset by the impact of swap movements in securitisation companies that are not subject to tax, and deductions available for the coupon paid on AT1 instruments that are charged to equity.
8. Earnings per share
EPS is based on the profit for the period and the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue. Basic EPS is calculated by dividing profit attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period. Diluted EPS takes into account share options and awards which can be converted to ordinary shares.
For the purpose of calculating EPS, profit attributable to ordinary shareholders is arrived at by adjusting profit for the year for the coupon on securities classified as equity:
9. Dividends
Dividends paid during the period are detailed below:
The Group's dividend policy is to declare interim dividends equal to one-third of the prior year's total dividend. The Board has therefore declared an interim dividend for 2024 of c. £41.4m, 10.7 pence per share (30 June 2023: £43.1m, 10.2 pence per share), based on the 2023 total dividend. The interim dividend is payable on 20 September 2024 with an ex-dividend date of 22 August 2024 and a record date of 23 August 2024. This dividend is not reflected in these financial statements as it was not declared at the reporting date.
A summary of the Company's distributable reserves is shown below, based on audited Company accounts prepared to 31 December 2023:
1. Represents own shares held in the Group's EBT which are recognised within OSBG under look-through accounting
Further additional distributable reserves are expected to be realised over time from distribution receipts from profits generated from the subsidiaries including two regulated banks within the Group.
10. Cash and cash equivalents
The following table analyses the cash and cash equivalents disclosed in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows:
11. Loans and advances to credit institutions
12. Investment securities
The credit risk on investment securities held at amortised cost has not significantly increased since initial recognition and they are categorised as stage 1. As at 30 June 2024, there were no ECLs on investment securities (31 December 2023: nil).
Movements during the period in investment securities held by the Group are analysed below:
13. Loans and advances to customers
14. Loans and advances
14. Loans and advances (continued)
The table below shows the movement in loans and advances to customers by IFRS 9 stage during the period:
The contractual amount outstanding of loans and advances that were written off during the reporting period and that were still subject to collections and recovery activity was £1.8m at 30 June 2024 (31 December 2023: £0.3m).
As at 30 June 2024, loans and advances of £191.4m (31 December 2023: £126.7m) were in a probationary period before they could move out of Stage 3.
Where a borrower has multiple facilities, all facilities are considered in default when a minimum threshold of the borrower's exposure has been classified as defaulted. As at 30 June 2024, loans and advances of £79.4m were in this category of default (31 December 2023: £55.7m).
15. Finance leases
The Group provides asset finance lending through InterBay Asset Finance Limited.
The Group recognised £3.1m (31 December 2023: £3.0m) of ECLs on finance leases as at 30 June 2024.
16. Expected credit losses
The ECL has been calculated based on various scenarios as set out below:
The Group continued to recognise the increases in credit risk due to the cost of living and cost of borrowing stresses noting that inflation levels have reduced whilst interest rates have remain elevated and are expected to remain higher for longer. As a result, the Group held £9.7m (31 December 2023: £9.4m) of ECL in PMA for risks not sufficiently accounted for in the IFRS 9 framework. The approach to quantify the PMA for the cost of living estimated an increase in probability of default (PD) by analysing the effect of the increases in living costs, such as household bills and groceries, on affordability, which is used to increase the default risk to all customers, with those on lower income more impacted.
The cost of borrowing PMA specifically identified those that are more at risk of default due to coming to the end of an initial interest rate in the near future, causing a payment increase through either a new product or reverting onto a variable rate, and becoming a higher affordability risk. This is used to apply an additional stress on the PD which in some cases results in a stage 2 criteria trigger. The PMA has increased since 31 December 2023, reflecting the latest calibrations of observed defaults.
The Group continued to observe an elongated time to sale, which was in excess of modelled expectations and observations prior to the pandemic which accounted for £6.7m (31 December 2023: £10.0m) as a PMA. Whilst the Group expects the process delays to reduce in time, a PMA is held against all accounts to reflect an extended time to sale in line with most recent observations whilst considering the Land Registry's strategic plan to increase automation in 2024/2025 to remove the backlog. The decrease in the PMA is as a result of the updated macroeconomic forecasts which are more favourable particularly on house price expectations.
As part of the Group's recognition of climate risk and overall ESG agenda, the Group continues to apply a PMA to account for the physical risk of the Group's collateral. The Group held a provision of £0.3m (31 December 2023: £0.5m).
16. Expected credit losses (continued)
To reflect the ongoing cladding concerns, the Group identified a valuation risk to a small number of properties and accounted for a further sale discount for these properties by a PMA of £1.0m (31 December 2023: £1.1m).
In addition to the above PMAs, the Group has identified accounts within the OSB second charge portfolio for which the arrears balances, fees and other charges are expected to be written off. An ECL of £2.5m (31 December 2023: £2.5m) has been recognised for the expected losses.
The Group's ECL by segment and IFRS 9 stage is shown below:
16. Expected credit losses (continued)
The table below shows the movement in the ECL by IFRS 9 stage during the period. ECLs on originations and acquisitions reflect the IFRS 9 stage of loans originated or acquired during the period as at 30 June 2024 and not the date of origination. Re-measurement of loss allowance relates to existing loans which did not redeem during the period and includes the impact of loans moving between IFRS 9 stages.
The table below shows the stage 2 ECL balances by transfer criteria:
16. Expected credit losses (continued)
The Group has a number of qualitative measures to determine whether a significant increase in credit risk (SICR) has taken place. These triggers utilise both internal performance information, to analyse whether an account is in distress but not yet in arrears, and external credit bureau information, to determine whether the customer is experiencing financial difficulty with an external credit obligation.
17. Impairment of financial assets
The (credit)/charge for impairment of financial assets in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income comprises:
18. Hedge accounting
In the first half of 2024, the Group commenced the implementation of an equity structural hedge comprising of a series of receive fixed rate swaps, to reduce earnings volatility due to interest rate changes arising from the portion of the balance sheet funded by equity. The Group continued to hedge its fixed rate mortgage portfolio in full with pay fixed rate swaps. The equity structural hedge was not designated as a hedge under IFRS 9, and to minimise fair value volatility through the income statement, an equivalent portion of the existing mortgage hedge was de-designated. The equity structural hedge has a weighted average life of 2.5 years and the notional amount was £501.0m as at 30 June 2024.
The swap inception adjustment relates to hedge accounting adjustments arising when hedge accounting commences, primarily on derivative instruments previously taken out against the mortgage pipeline and on derivative instruments previously taken out against new retail deposits.
18. Hedge accounting (continued)
Cancelled hedge relationships predominantly represent the unamortised fair value adjustment for interest rate risk hedges that have been cancelled and replaced due to IBOR transition, securitisation activities and legacy long-term fixed rate mortgages (c. 25 years at origination).
De-designated hedge relationships relate to hedge accounting adjustments on failed hedge relationships which are amortised over the remaining lives of the original hedged items and also include the Group's equity structural hedge.
19. Amounts owed to credit institutions
20. Amounts owed to retail depositors
21. Debt securities in issue
The asset-backed loan notes are secured on fixed and variable rate mortgages and are redeemable in part from time to time, but such redemptions are limited to the net principal received from customers in respect of underlying mortgage assets. The maturity date of the funds matches the contractual maturity date of the underlying mortgage assets. The Group expects that a large proportion of the underlying mortgage assets, and therefore these notes, will be repaid within five years.
21. Debt securities in issue (continued)
Where the Group owns the call rights for a transaction, it may repurchase the asset-backed loan notes at any interest payment date on or after the call dates, or at any interest payment date when the current balance of the mortgages outstanding is less than or equal to 10% of the principal amount outstanding on the loan notes on the date they were issued. Interest is payable at fixed margins above SONIA.
The asset-backed loan notes were issued through the following funding vehicles:
22. Lease liabilities
23. Other liabilities
On 14 March 2024, the Board authorised a share repurchase programme of up to £50.0m, recognising a £50.4m (including incentive fee of £0.4m) reduction in retained earnings and a share repurchase liability. As at 30 June 2024, 7,732,890 shares had been purchased by the Group's agent under the programme at a total cost of £32.0m, reducing the share repurchase liability to £18.4m. Other creditors included £0.1m for 24,463 shares purchased by the agent prior to 30 June 2024 for which the Group has completed payment in July 2024. Any share repurchases made under this programme were announced to the market each day in line with regulatory requirements, see note 27 for further details.
24. Provisions and contingent liabilities
In January 2020, the Group was contacted by the FCA in connection with a multi-firm thematic review into forbearance measures adopted by lenders in respect of a portion of the mortgage market. The Group has responded to information requests from the FCA. In addition, the Group is reviewing its collections processes and how mortgage customers in arrears are managed. This includes a retrospective review of the Group's application of forbearance measures and associated outcomes for certain cohorts of customers. It is not possible to reliably predict or estimate the outcome of these reviews and therefore their financial effect, if any, on the Group.
25. Senior notes
The Group's outstanding senior notes are as follows:
The senior notes comprise fixed rate notes denominated in pounds sterling and listed on the official list of the FCA, and are admitted to trading on the main market of the London Stock Exchange plc.
The principal terms of the senior notes are as follows:
Movements during the period in senior notes are analysed below:
26. Subordinated liabilities
The Group's outstanding subordinated liabilities are summarised below:
All subordinated liabilities are denominated in pounds sterling and listed on the official list of the FCA, and are admitted to trading on the main market of the London Stock Exchange plc.
The principal terms of the subordinated debt liabilities are as follows:
Movements during the period in subordinated liabilities are analysed below:
27. Share capital
Since the inception of the Group's share repurchase programme on 14 March 2024 (2023: 17 March 2023), 7,732,890 shares were repurchased as at 30 June 2024 at an average price of £4.13 per share and a total cost of £32.0m, of which 7,708,427 shares have been cancelled representing 2.0% of the issued share capital (31 December 2023: 38,243,031 shares, representing 8.9% of the issued share capital and cancelled at an average price of £3.92 per share). The programme allows the Group to repurchase a maximum of 43,024,375 shares (2023: 43,024,375 shares), restricted by a total cost of £50.0m (2023: £150.0m) excluding transaction costs.
The holders of ordinary shares are entitled to receive dividends as declared from time to time, and are entitled to one vote per share at meetings of the Company. All ordinary shares rank equally with regard to the Company's residual assets.
All ordinary shares issued in the current period and prior year were fully paid.
28. Reconciliation of cash flows from financing activities
The tables below show a reconciliation of the Group's liabilities classified as financing activities within the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows:
29. Risk management
The tables below are a summary of the Group's risk management and financial instruments disclosures, of which a complete disclosure for the year ended 31 December 2023 is included in the 2023 Annual Report and Accounts. The tables do not represent all risks the Group is exposed to and should be read in conjunction with Principal risks and uncertainties on pages 31 to 35.
Credit risk
The following tables show the Group's maximum exposure to credit risk and the impact of collateral held as security, capped at the gross exposure amount, by impairment stage. Capped collateral excludes the impact of forced sale discounts and costs to sell.
The Group's main form of collateral held is property, based in the UK and the Channel Islands.
29. Risk management (continued)
The Group uses indexed loan to value (LTV) ratios to assess the quality of the uncapped collateral held. Property values are updated to reflect changes in the HPI. A breakdown of loans and advances to customers by indexed LTV is as follows:
The table below shows the LTV banding for the OSB segments' two major lending streams:
29. Risk management (continued)
The tables below show the LTV analysis of the OSB BTL/SME sub-segment:
The tables below show the LTV analysis of the OSB Residential sub-segment:
29. Risk management (continued)
The table below shows the LTV analysis of the four CCFS sub-segments:
29. Risk management (continued)
Forbearance measures undertaken
The Group has a range of options available where borrowers experience financial difficulties that impact their ability to service their financial commitments under the loan agreement. These options are explained on pages 64 to 65 of the 2023 Annual Report and Accounts.
A summary of the forbearance measures undertaken during the period is shown below. The balances disclosed reflect the period end balance of the accounts where a forbearance measure was undertaken during the period.
29. Risk management (continued)
Geographical analysis by region
An analysis of loans, excluding asset finance leases, by region is provided below:
29. Risk management (continued)
Approach to measurement of credit quality
The Group categorises the credit quality of loans and advances to customers into internal risk grades based on the 12-month PD calculated at the reporting date. The PDs include a combination of internal behavioural and credit bureau characteristics and are aligned with the Group's internal Capital models and Rating systems to generate the risk grades which are then further grouped into the following credit quality segments:
The following tables disclose the credit risk quality ratings of loans and advances to customers by IFRS 9 stage. The assessment of whether credit risk has increased significantly since initial recognition is performed for each reporting period for the life of the loan. Loans and advances to customers initially booked on very low PDs and graded as excellent quality loans can experience SICR and therefore be moved to Stage 2. Similarly, loans and advances to customers initially booked on high PDs having lower credit quality can remain in stage 1 if subsequently SICR is not experienced or triggered. Such loans may still be graded as excellent quality, if they meet the overall criteria.
29. Risk management (continued)
The tables below show the Group's other financial assets and derivatives by credit risk rating grade. The credit grade is based on the external credit rating of the counterparty; AAA to AA- are rated Excellent; A+ to A- are rated Good; and BBB+ to BBB- are rated Satisfactory.
30. Financial instruments and fair values
The following tables provide an analysis of financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position grouped into Levels 1 to 3 based on the degree to which the fair value is observable:
Level 1: Fair values that are based entirely on quoted market prices (unadjusted) in an actively traded market for identical assets and liabilities that the Group has the ability to access. Valuation adjustments and block discounts are not applied to Level 1 instruments. Since valuations are based on readily available observable market prices, this makes them most reliable, reduces the need for management judgement and estimation and also reduces the uncertainty associated with determining fair values.
Level 2: Fair values that are based on one or more quoted prices in markets that are not active or for which all significant inputs are taken from directly or indirectly observable market data. These include valuation models used to calculate the present value of expected future cash flows and may be employed either when no active market exists or when there are no quoted prices available for similar instruments in active markets.
30. Financial instruments and fair values (continued)
Level 3: Fair values for which any one or more significant input is not based on observable market data and the unobservable inputs have a significant effect on the instrument's fair value. Valuation models that employ significant unobservable inputs require a higher degree of management judgement and estimation in determining the fair value. Management judgement and estimation are usually required for the selection of the appropriate valuation model to be used, determination of expected future cash flows on the financial instruments being valued, determination of the probability of counterparty default and prepayments, determination of expected volatilities and correlations and the selection of appropriate discount rates.
The following tables provide an analysis of financial assets and financial liabilities not measured at fair value in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position grouped into Levels 1 to 3 based on the degree to which the fair value is observable:
30. Financial instruments and fair values (continued)
The valuation techniques for all the financial instruments are consistent with those set out on page 243 - 244 of the 2023 Annual Report and Accounts. For other assets and other liabilities fair value is considered to be equal to carrying value.
31. Operating segments
The Group segments its lending business and operates under two segments in line with internal reporting to the Board:
The Group separately discloses the impact of Combination accounting but does not consider this a business segment.
The financial position and results of operations of the above segments are summarised below:
31. Operating segments (continued)
32. Adjustments for non-cash items and changes in operating assets and liabilities
33. Capital management
The Group's individual regulated entities and the Group as a whole complied with all of the capital requirements, which they were subject to, for the periods presented.
The Group's Pillar 1 capital information is presented below:
33. Capital management (continued)
The Group's minimum requirements for own funds and eligible liabilities (MREL) information is presented below:
On 16 January 2024, the Group issued a further £400.0m (2023: £300.0m) of senior unsecured callable notes through OSB GROUP PLC which, while not included in total regulatory capital, are eligible to meet MREL.
The Group has been given a preferred resolution strategy of a single point of entry bail-in at the holding company level by the PRA and was initially given an interim MREL requirement (including buffers) of 18% of RWAs, and an end-state MREL of the higher of:
(i) two times the sum of Pillar 1 and Pillar 2A plus regulatory buffers; or
(ii) if subject to a leverage ratio, two times the applicable requirement plus regulatory buffers.
The interim and end-state deadlines for the requirements are July 2024 and July 2026 respectively.
34. Related parties
The Group had no related party transactions during the six months to 30 June 2024 and 30 June 2023 that materially affected the position or performance of the Group.
Transactions with key management personnel
During the period, the Group granted 250,393 (30 June 2023: 185,887) awards under the Deferred Share Bonus Plan and 1,090,734 (30 June 2023: 899,850) awards under the Performance Share Plan to 11 (30 June 2023: 11) key management personnel. The awards were granted on 14 March 2024 with a grant price of £3.8613. Details of these plans can be found in note 9 of the 2023 Annual Report and Accounts on pages 211 to 213.
35. Events after the reporting date
On 2 July 2024, OneSavings Bank PLC announced that it will, on 27 August 2024, fully redeem the £15,000,000 7.875% Perpetual Subordinated Bonds originally issued in February 2011 (ISIN: GB00B67JQX63) (the PSBs). After redemption, the PSBs will be cancelled pursuant to their terms and conditions and the listing of the PSBs on the Official List of the Financial Conduct Authority and the admission of the PSBs on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange will be cancelled. Additional information can be found on the Group's website.
The Board has authorised a share repurchase of up to £50.0m of shares in the market, which will commence on 6 September 2024. Any purchases made under this programme will be announced to the market each day in line with regulatory requirements.
Independent assurance statement by Deloitte LLP to OSB GROUP PLC on selected Alternative Performance Measures
Opinion
We have performed an independent limited assurance engagement on the Alternative Performance Measures (collectively, the APMs) set out below for the financial half year ended 30 June 2024. The definition and the basis of preparation for each of the following assured APMs is described in the Appendix to the 2024 Interim Report (OSB Group's APM Definitions and Basis of Preparation).
In our opinion nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the assured APMs for the financial half year ended 30 June 2024, have not been prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with OSB Group's APM Definitions and Basis of Preparation.
Directors' responsibilities
The directors of OSB Group are responsible for:
Our responsibilities
We are responsible for:
Key procedures performed
We are required to plan and perform our procedures in order to obtain limited assurance as to whether the assured APMs have been prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with OSB Group's APM Definitions and Basis of Preparation.
The procedures performed in a limited assurance engagement vary in nature and timing from, and are less in extent than for, a reasonable assurance engagement. Consequently, the level of assurance obtained in a limited assurance engagement is substantially lower than the assurance that would have been obtained had a reasonable assurance engagement been performed.
The nature, timing and extent of the assurance procedures selected depended on our judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, of the assured APMs. In making those risk assessments, we considered internal controls relevant to the preparation of the assured APMs.
Based on that assessment we carried out testing which included:
We were not asked to give, and therefore have not given any assurance over (i) any APMs other than the assured APMs or (ii) other data in the Interim Report as part of this engagement. We believe that the evidence obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
Our independence and quality control
We have complied with the independence and other ethical requirements of the FRC's Ethical Standard and the Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants issued by the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants, which is founded on fundamental principles of integrity, objectivity, professional competence and due care, confidentiality and professional behaviour.
We applied the International Standard on Quality Management (UK) 1 (“ISQM (UK) 1”), issued by the Financial Reporting Council. Accordingly, we maintained a comprehensive system of quality including documented policies and procedures regarding compliance with ethical requirements, professional standards and applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
Use of our report
This assurance report is made solely to OSB GROUP PLC in accordance with ISAE 3000 (Revised) and the terms of the engagement letter between us. Our work has been undertaken so that we might state to OSB GROUP PLC those matters we are required to state to them in an independent limited assurance report and for no other purpose.
Without assuming or accepting any responsibility or liability in respect of this report to any party other than OSB GROUP PLC and the directors of OSB GROUP PLC, we acknowledge that the directors of OSB GROUP PLC may choose to make this report publicly available for others wishing to have access to it, which does not and will not affect or extend for any purpose or on any basis our responsibilities. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than OSB GROUP PLC and the directors of OSB GROUP PLC as a body, for our assurance work, for this assurance report or for the opinions we have formed.
Deloitte LLP, London
15 August 2024
Key performance indicators
Underlying results for the six months to 30 June 2024 and 30 June 2023 exclude acquisition-related items. The underlying results provide a more consistent basis for comparing the Group's performance between financial periods.
Net interest margin (NIM)
For the period of six months NIM is calculated as net interest income annualised on an actual days basis, as a percentage of a 7 point average of interest earning assets (cash, investment securities, loans and advances to customers and credit institutions). It represents the margin earned on loans and advances and liquid assets after swap expense/income and cost of funds.
Cost to income ratio
The cost to income ratio is defined as administrative expenses as a percentage of total income. It is a measure of operational efficiency.
Management expense ratio
For the period of six months the management expense ratio is defined as administrative expenses annualised on a simple basis as a percentage of a 7 point average of total assets.
Loan loss ratio
For the period of six months, the loan loss ratio is defined as impairment losses annualised on a simple basis as a percentage of a 7 point average of gross loans and advances. It is a measure of the credit performance of the loan book.
Return on equity (RoE)
RoE is defined as profit attributable to ordinary shareholders, which is profit after tax and after deducting coupons on AT1 securities, annualised on a simple basis, as a percentage of a 7 point average of shareholders' equity (excluding £150m of AT1 securities).
Basic earnings per share
Basic earnings per share is defined as profit attributable to ordinary shareholders, which is profit after tax and after deducting coupons on AT1 securities, gross of tax, divided by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue.
1. 7 point average is calculated as an average of opening balance and closing balances for six months to 30 June
2. The acquisition-related items are detailed in the reconciliation of statutory to underlying results in the Financial review
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