NORDIC INVESTMENT BANK
Exhibit IV
The Nordic Investment Bank (“NIB” or “the Bank”) was established as an international financial
institution to provide medium and long-term loans and guarantees pursuant to the agreement
regarding the establishment of the Nordic Investment Bank (the “Establishing Agreement”), which was
signed on December 4, 1975. The signatories of the Establishing Agreement were Denmark, Finland,
Iceland, Norway and Sweden (the “Nordic countries”).
The Establishing Agreement and the Statutes of NIB (the “Statutes”) became effective on June
1, 1976, and NIB commenced operations on August 2 of that year.
On October 23, 1998, the Nordic countries entered into a novation of the Establishing
Agreement (the “1998 Agreement”). The 1998 Agreement came into force on July 18, 1999, and the
Establishing Agreement ceased to be effective on the same date.
On February 11, 2004, following a decision to broaden NIB’s ownership base, a new agreement on
NIB was signed (the “2004 Agreement”), providing for membership in NIB of Estonia, Latvia and
Lithuania on equal terms with the original five Nordic countries. The 2004 Agreement came into
force on January 1, 2005 after final ratification in each of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland,
Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden (the “Member countries”). NIB has, since January 1, 2005, been
governed by the provisions of the 2004 Agreement and the Statutes annexed thereto.
The 2004 Agreement continues to provide NIB the privileges and immunities common to other
multilateral financial institutions (“MFIs”), such as inviolability of its premises, protection
from search and seizure of its property and assets, protection from pre-judgment remedies, and
broad tax exemptions. For further information, see “Legal Status.”
The basic purpose of NIB is to contribute to the strengthening and further development of the
co-operation among the Member countries by granting medium and long-term loans and loan guarantees
for the financing of investment projects of common interest to the Member countries and the
countries receiving such loans from NIB. In conducting its operations, NIB cooperates with other
credit institutions as well as with public authorities and private institutions in each of the
Member countries, with other MFIs and international banks. NIB represents one aspect of a tradition
of cooperation among governments, organizations, companies and individuals in the Member countries
stemming partly from their common heritage and geographic proximity. See “History of NIB;
Cooperation of Member countries.”
At December 31, 2006, NIB had loan commitments totaling EUR 13,037.4 million ($17,170.3
million), of which EUR 11,534.2 million ($15,190.5 million) was outstanding, and had issued
guarantees totaling EUR 25.0 million ($32.9 million). A “loan commitment” comes into being upon
execution of a loan agreement; thereafter, the amount of the loan that has been disbursed, net of
repayments, is referred to as “outstanding.” For a breakdown of NIB’s outstanding loans and
guarantees, see “Lending Operations of NIB – Lending in Member countries” and “– Lending in
Non-Member countries.”
Under the Statutes, NIB is required to protect itself against exchange rate losses and to
obtain adequate security for its loans and loan guarantees. Protection for NIB’s loans takes the
form of governmental or bank guarantees, specific security or negative pledge provisions and other
financial covenants. For a description of the general policies followed in NIB’s lending
activities, see “Lending Operations of NIB – Credit Policy.”
NIB finances its operations from borrowings in the international markets and the domestic
capital markets of Member and other countries, from internally generated funds and from the capital
paid in by the Member countries. See “Capitalization and Reserves”, “Funded Debt” and “Borrowing
Programs and Liquidity Management.”
NIB’s principal offices are located at Xxxxxxxxxxxx 00, Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx (postal address:
X.X. Xxx 000, XX-00000 Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx). Its telephone number is x000-00-000000 and its internet
address is xxxx://xxx.xxx.xxx.
Statutory Purposes
The 2004 Agreement and the Statutes provide that the purpose of NIB is to make financing
available in accordance with sound banking principles and taking into account socio-economic
1
considerations, to carry into effect investment projects of interest to the Member countries
and other countries which receive such financing. NIB is to aim for a profit in its operations in
order to provide for the accumulation of reserves and a reasonable return on its paid-in capital.
Legal Status
Under the 2004 Agreement, NIB has status as an international legal person with full legal
capacity. In particular, the Bank has the capacity to enter into agreements, to acquire and dispose
of immovable and movable property, and to be a party to legal proceedings before courts of law and
other authorities. The 2004 Agreement further states that NIB, as a common international financial
institution to the Member countries, has the same status as other legal persons conducting similar
operations within and outside the Member countries.
The 2004 Agreement also contains, among others, provisions regarding certain immunities.
According to these provisions actions may be brought against the Bank only in a court of competent
jurisdiction in the territory of a country in which the Bank has established an office, or has
appointed an agent for the purpose of accepting service of process, or when the Bank has otherwise
expressly accepted jurisdiction. Actions may, however, be brought by a Member country or by persons
acting for or deriving claims from a Member country only if the Bank has given its express consent
thereto.
In addition, the 2004 Agreement provides that property and assets of the Bank wherever located
and by whomsoever held shall be immune from execution of judgment or decree by judicial or
administrative authority before such judgment or decree is final. The property and assets of the
Bank wherever located and by whomsoever held shall further be immune from search, requisition,
confiscation and expropriation by executive or legislative action. The Bank, its property and
assets shall also be immune from procedural measures of constraints, such as seizure.
The 2004 Agreement prescribes that the premises and archives of the Bank and all documents
belonging to it or held by it shall be inviolable.
The 2004 Agreement also states that NIB is exempt from payment restrictions and credit policy
measures which in any manner prevent or impede the fulfillment of its commitments. NIB, its income,
assets and property shall be exempt from all taxation as set forth in the relevant Article. The
Bank shall also be exempt from taxes on purchase and transfer of real estate and securities and the
procurement of goods and services in connection with the official activities of the Bank. Borrowing
and lending by the Bank and borrowing from the Bank is also exempt from all taxes and imposts of
similar nature.
HISTORY OF NIB
Cooperation of Member Countries
Cooperation among the Nordic countries encompasses a wide range of activities, including
economic policy, development of industrial technology, communications and harmonization of legal
systems.
Institutionalized Nordic Co-operation
The most important formal basis for Nordic cooperation is the Treaty of Cooperation among the
Nordic countries, also known as the Helsinki Agreement of 1962. This agreement sets out the aims of
Nordic cooperation and contains provisions for the Nordic Council and, as subsequently amended, for
the Nordic Council of Ministers. The Nordic Council, which was founded in 1952, is a forum for
consultation and discussion at the parliamentary level of matters of common interest to the Nordic
countries, which may lead to presentation of recommendations to the Nordic Council of Ministers and
to the governments of the Nordic countries. The Nordic Council of Ministers, in which each Nordic
country has one vote, is empowered to make decisions on matters of cooperation that are considered
binding on the governments of the Nordic countries, subject to parliamentary approval in certain
matters.
The Baltic countries, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, have for several years participated in
the Nordic cooperation, for example, by attending the sessions of the Nordic Council and some
meetings of the Nordic Council of Ministers.
2
EFTA and EU
The Nordic countries have steadily broadened their mutual commercial relationships, a
development encouraged by the creation in 1960 of the European Free Trade Association (“EFTA”),
which established a framework for the development of inter-Nordic trade during the 1960s and 1970s.
Following Denmark’s entry into the European Community (the predecessor to the European Union)
in 1973, the other four Nordic countries concluded bilateral free-trade agreements with the
European Community in order to promote free trade within the Nordic region. The EFTA member
countries, with the exclusion of Switzerland, and the European Union (“EU”) established the
European Economic Area (“EEA”), a free trade zone in Europe, effective January 1, 1994.
Effective January 1, 1995, Finland and Sweden became members of the EU, leaving Norway and
Iceland as the only Nordic countries that presently are members of EFTA. At the introduction of the
Euro on January 1, 0000, Xxxxxxx was the only Nordic country to participate in the EMU.
Effective Xxx 0, 0000 Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxx and Lithuania became members of the EU.
Other forms of cooperations
Nordic cooperation also includes coordination of policy positions in international
organizations. Consultations are held regularly on issues arising within the United Nations and the
United Nations Commission for Trade and Development. The Member countries are jointly represented
in the IMF, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the “World Bank”) and other
international organizations.
Implications for NIB and its Sister Organizations
NIB
Discussions within the Nordic Council and the Nordic Council of Ministers over a number of
years led to the establishment of NIB in 1975.
On September 15, 1981, the Nordic Council of Ministers approved a program to promote Member
country cooperation in project exports, primarily to developing countries. The decision, as amended
on February 28, 1982, included, as one major element of the program, the creation of a joint
financing facility to grant loans and issue loan guarantees (“project investment loans”). The
facility became effective on July 1, 1982, and forms currently the main part of NIB’s lending
activities outside Member countries. See “Operations of NIB.”
On March 4, 1992, the Nordic Council of Ministers approved (in cooperation with the Baltic
countries) a multilateral program to promote investments in the three Baltic countries, namely
Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania (the “Baltic Investment Program”). The program was administered by
NIB, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the Nordic Project Fund. See
“Operations of NIB.” The program, which initially ran until July 1, 1995, was later extended until
the end of 1999. The program consisted of technical assistance, equity in established national
long-term credit banks and loans for small and medium-sized enterprises in the Baltic countries.
In August 1996, the Nordic Prime Ministers decided to establish a special environmental loan
facility (the “Environmental Investment Loan Facility”) to finance environmental investments in the
region neighboring the Nordic countries. The facility was approved by the Nordic Council of
Ministers on January 25, 1997, and became effective on August 28, 1997. The facility, which is part
of NIB’s lending activities, comprises loans and guarantees to both the public and private sector
for financing investments aimed at protecting the environment and reducing cross border pollution
in the neighboring area to the Member countries. See “Operations of NIB.”
In November 1997, the Nordic Council of Ministers decided that the legal framework of NIB and
its sister organizations NEFCO and NDF should be revised to reflect their status as international
organizations. A new agreement in relation to NIB was signed on October 23, 1998.
On Xxxxxxx 0, 0000, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxx and Lithuania became members of NIB. The enlargement of
the membership followed an eighteen month-long preparation after a policy decision taken by the
Nordic prime ministers in June 2003. The new members have essentially the same rights and
obligations as the original members. The 2004 Agreement on NIB mandates a new structure for the
governance of the Bank, which was fully implemented as of January 1, 2005. From January 1, 2005,
NIB has an entirely new body, the Board of Governors, which has replaced the Nordic Council of
Ministers and its functions in the
3
previous legal framework of the Bank. The activities of the Bank remained unchanged in the
2004 Agreement.
NIB’s sister organizations
On May 19, 1988, the Nordic Council of Ministers decided upon the establishment of the Nordic
Development Fund (“NDF”) for the purpose of financing projects of Nordic interest on concessional
terms in developing countries. The agreement regarding the establishment of NDF was signed by the
Nordic countries on November 3, 1988, and NDF commenced operations on February 1, 1989. NDF is a
separate legal entity with its own board of directors and with its capital base provided by the
five Nordic countries, who are members of NDF. NDF credits are granted primarily to low- and
lower-middle-income countries and initially only in combination with financing from other
multilateral financial institutions, including NIB. Since it has not been possible to secure additional funding for NDF, the
Nordic Ministers for Development Cooperation have concluded that NDF should bring its operations to
a close while ensuring that funds allocated to NDF are utilized in accordance with the standards
adopted by NDF. In light of the above, the Board of Directors of NDF decided on November 2, 2005
that NDF is not in a position to consider financing new projects. NIB provides certain
administrative services to NDF but has otherwise no direct involvement in NDF’s activities.
On March 2, 1990, the Nordic Council of Ministers decided upon the establishment of the Nordic
Environment Finance Corporation (“NEFCO”), a multilateral financial institution, for the purpose of
promoting investments of Nordic environmental interest in Eastern and Central Europe. The agreement
regarding the establishment of NEFCO was signed by the Nordic countries on the same day, and NEFCO
commenced operations in October of 1990. NEFCO is a separate legal entity with its own board of
directors and with its capital base provided by the five Nordic countries, who are the member
countries of NEFCONEFCO financing is carried out through equity capital investments in, or venture
capital loans to, joint ventures between local and Nordic companies, e.g. for the production of
environmental equipment. NIB cofinances projects with NEFCO and cooperates with NEFCO also by
providing administrative services to NEFCO.
FOREIGN EXCHANGE
The capital of NIB is denominated, and its accounts are kept, in Euro as specified in Sections
3 and 12 of the Statutes of NIB. The Euro is the currency introduced on January 1, 1999, and
adopted by the EMU as the unit of account of the institutions of the European Communities (“EC”) as
well as the currency of the fifteen participating member states of the EMU and the unit of account
of the central banks of such member states.
The following table sets forth for the dates indicated the EUR/USD exchange rate as published
by the European Central Bank (the “ECB”). No representation is made that EUR amounts actually
represented, or have been or could be converted into, U.S. dollars at such rates or at any other
rates on any of the dates indicated.
December 31, | Value of 1 EUR in USD | |||
2007 |
1.4721 | |||
2006 (December 29th) |
1.3170 | |||
2005 (December 30th) |
1.1797 | |||
2004 |
1.3621 | |||
2003 |
1.2630 | |||
2002 |
1.0487 |
As published by the ECB on August 31, 2007, 1 EUR was equal to 1.3705 U.S. dollars.
Unless otherwise specified, amounts in Euro contained herein have been presented solely for
convenience in U.S. dollars based on a conversion rate of 1 EUR being equal to 1.3170 U.S. dollars,
which was the EUR/USD exchange rate at December 29, 2006, as set forth in the above table.
As used herein, the terms “dollars”, “U.S. dollars”, “USD” and the dollar sign ($) refer to
United States dollars.
Any discrepancies in the tables included herein between the amounts and the totals thereof are
due to rounding.
4
CAPITALIZATION AND RESERVES
The following table sets forth the capitalization of NIB at December 31, 2006. This table
should be read in conjunction with the Financial Statements for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2006, and the Notes thereto included as Exhibit III to this Report on Form 18-K.
Outstanding at | ||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2006 | ||||||||||||||||
Millions | Millions | Millions | Millions | |||||||||||||
of | of | of | of | |||||||||||||
Euro | USD | EUR | USD | |||||||||||||
Funded Debt(1) |
13,621.5 | 17,939.5 | ||||||||||||||
Equity: |
||||||||||||||||
Subscribed |
4,141.9 | 5,454.9 | ||||||||||||||
Available for call |
(3,723.3 | ) | (4,903.6 | ) | ||||||||||||
Paid-in capital(2) |
418.6 | 551.3 | ||||||||||||||
Statutory Reserve |
645.0 | 849.5 | ||||||||||||||
General Credit Risk Fund |
534.7 | 704.2 | ||||||||||||||
Special Credit Risk Fund PIL |
238.2 | 313.7 | ||||||||||||||
Debt Initiative for Heavily Indebted Poor Countries |
0.6 | 0.8 | ||||||||||||||
Payments to the Bank’s reserves, receivable(3) |
42.7 | 56.2 | ||||||||||||||
Other value adjustments according to IAS 39 |
3.6 | 4.7 | ||||||||||||||
Profit for the year |
137.5 | 181.1 | ||||||||||||||
Total Equity |
2,020.9 | 2,661.5 | ||||||||||||||
Total Capitalization |
15,642.4 | 20,601.0 | ||||||||||||||
(1) | Between January 1, 2007 and August 31, 2007, the Bank incurred borrowings equivalent to approximately EUR 2,527.7 million ($3,464.2 million). Translated at the EUR/USD exchange rate at August 31, 2007. | |
(2) | Of paid-in capital, EUR 413.8 million ($545.0 million) has been received at December 31, 2006. For further information, see “ – Paid-in Capital and Callable Capital.” | |
(3) | For further information, see “ – Reserves.” |
Authorized Capital Stock
The Board of Governors can, upon a proposal by the Board of Directors of NIB, decide upon an
increase in the authorized capital stock of the Bank. To become effective, such a decision requires
the approval of the parliament in each of the Member countries.
The authorized capital stock of the Bank, which initially was approximately $601.8 million),
has been increased several times. Due to the fact that Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania became members
of NIB on January 1, 2005, NIB’s authorized and subscribed capital was increased to EUR 4,141.9
million ($5,454.9 million) as of January 1, 2005. The capital increase was carried out as an issue
subscribed by the new member countries proportionally to the distribution key based on the Member
countries’ average Gross Domestic Product for the years 2000 and 2001. No subsequent adjustments
are made to the already subscribed capital. As of December 31, 2006, the Member countries’ portions
of the authorized capital stock of NIB are as follows:
Millions | Millions | Percentage | ||||||||||
of | of | of | ||||||||||
EUR | USD | total | ||||||||||
Denmark |
881.1 | 1,160.4 | 21.3 | % | ||||||||
Estonia |
30.2 | 39.8 | 0.7 | % | ||||||||
Finland |
765.8 | 1,008.6 | 18.5 | % | ||||||||
Iceland |
38.6 | 50.8 | 0.9 | % | ||||||||
Latvia |
43.9 | 57.8 | 1.1 | % | ||||||||
Lithuania |
67.8 | 89.3 | 1.6 | % | ||||||||
Norway |
793.1 | 1,044.5 | 19.1 | % | ||||||||
Sweden |
1,521.4 | 2,003.7 | 36.7 | % | ||||||||
Total |
4,141.9 | 5,454.9 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||
5
Paid-in Capital and Callable Capital
The Statutes provide that NIB’s authorized capital stock shall consist of a paid-in portion
and a callable portion. Of NIB’s total authorized capital stock of EUR 4,141.9 million ($5,454.9
million), the paid-in portion was EUR 418.6 million ($551.3 million) at December 31, 2006, which
corresponded to approximately 10.1% of the total authorized capital stock of the Bank. The new
Member countries shall make their payments of the paid-in portion pursuant to an agreed schedule in
three annual installments. The first installment was paid in on March 31, 2005, the second on March
31, 2006 and the third on March 31, 2007. All payments to the Bank’s paid-in capital have thus been
made. All subscribed capital not paid in is subject to call by the Board of Directors of NIB to the
extent that the Board deems it necessary for the fulfillment of the Bank’s debt obligations. The
Statutes do not require that calls be made pro rata, but it is anticipated that, in the first
instance, calls would be made in that manner. Failure by any Member country to make payment on any
such call would not excuse any other Member country from its obligation to make payment. No Member
country can legally be required on any such call to pay more than the unpaid balance of the
callable portion of its subscribed capital. To date no such calls have been made.
In view of NIB’s character as an institution for regional cooperation, there are no provisions
in the 2004 Agreement for admitting additional countries. While a Member country may withdraw by
giving notice in accordance with the provisions set forth in the 2004 Agreement, the 2004 Agreement
also provides that a withdrawing country must remain liable for those commitments of NIB that were
in force at the time of the withdrawal to the same extent as immediately prior to such withdrawal.
Reserves
Under the Statutes, NIB’s annual net profits are to be transferred to a statutory reserve (the
“Statutory Reserve”) until such reserve equals 10% of the authorized capital stock of the Bank.
Thereafter, the Board of Governors, acting upon the proposal of the Board of Directors of NIB, will
determine the allocation of net profits between further transfers to the Statutory Reserve and the
payment of dividends to the Member countries.
NIB has annually allocated a portion of each year’s profit as a general credit risk reserve
(the “General Credit Risk Fund”) for unidentified risks in the Bank’s operations. At December 31,
2006, the General Credit Risk Fund amounted to EUR 534.7 million ($704.2 million). After allocation
of EUR 87.5 million ($115.2 million) of the profit from fiscal year 2006 to the General Credit Risk
Fund, the General Credit Risk Fund amounted to EUR 622.2 million ($819.4 million). The General
Credit Risk Fund is available to cover losses arising from NIB’s lending portfolio as well as other
risks NIB assumes in its business activities, such as the activities of its treasury department.
The risks covered with respect to the treasury activities include market risks as well as
counterparty risks. For further information in this regard, please see “Financial Policies and Risk
Management” below.
In addition, as required by Section 8 of the Statutes, the Bank has established a separate
special credit risk fund to be used exclusively for any future project investment loan losses (the
“Special Credit Risk Fund PIL”). At December 31, 2006, the Special Credit Risk Fund PIL amounted to
EUR 238.2 million ($313.7 million). No transfer was made out of the profit from fiscal year 2006 to
the Special Credit Risk Fund PIL. For further information regarding the PIL facility and the Member
countries’ guarantees, see “Operations of NIB – Lending in Non-Member countries.”
At December 31, 2006 the Statutory Reserve of NIB amounted to EUR 645.0 million ($849.5
million). After transfer of EUR 0.6 million ($0.8 million) from the HIPC reserve described below,
the Statutory Reserve amounts to EUR 645.6 million ($850.3 million) or 15.6% of the Bank’s
authorized capital.
In addition NIB had built up a reserve in the amount of EUR 4.3 million ($5.7 million) as part
of equity for the debt relief program for the most Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (“HIPC”). HIPC
was initiated by the World Bank and the IMF. After having paid NIB’s contribution to the HIPC
Program during 2006 the HIPC reserve amounted to EUR 0.6 million ($0.8 million) as of December 31,
2006, all of which was transferred to the Statutory Reserve in March 2007.
6
As part of the terms and conditions of membership, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have agreed
to pay into NIB’s reserves the aggregate amount of EUR 42.7 million ($56.2 million) in the same
proportion as their respective shares of the subscribed capital. Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania will
make their payments in semi-annual installments in accordance with individual payment agreements
during the period from March 31, 2008 to September 30, 2012.
The Bank paid EUR 50.0 million ($65.9 million) of the profit from fiscal year 2006 in
dividends to its Member countries.
FUNDED DEBT
The following table sets forth a summary of the Bank’s outstanding funded debt at December 31,
2006. The Bank’s borrowing transactions are in most cases recognized in the Balance Sheet at fair
value in accordance with the IAS 39 principle on hedge accounting. (1)
Millions | Millions | |||||||
Currency of Borrowing | of EUR | of USD | ||||||
U.S. dollars |
5,735.9 | 7,554.2 | ||||||
Pounds sterling |
1,961.1 | 2,582.8 | ||||||
Australian dollars |
1,586.7 | 2,089.7 | ||||||
Japanese yen |
1,506.6 | 1,984.2 | ||||||
Euro |
777.5 | 1,024.0 | ||||||
Hong Kong dollars |
415.9 | 547.7 | ||||||
New Taiwan dollars |
305.6 | 402.5 | ||||||
Swedish kronor |
226.7 | 298.6 | ||||||
Norwegian kroner |
169.6 | 223.4 | ||||||
New Turkish lira |
165.8 | 218.4 | ||||||
Slovak korunas |
137.9 | 181.6 | ||||||
New Zealand dollars |
106.7 | 140.5 | ||||||
Canadian dollars |
104.3 | 137.4 | ||||||
Danish kroner |
100.6 | 132.5 | ||||||
Mexican pesos |
96.0 | 126.4 | ||||||
Icelandic kronur |
91.0 | 119.8 | ||||||
Singapore dollars |
74.1 | 97.6 | ||||||
South African rand |
60.9 | 80.2 | ||||||
Polish zloty |
25.9 | 34.1 | ||||||
Latvian Lats |
7.2 | 9.4 | ||||||
Total* |
13,655.8 | 17,984.7 | ||||||
IAS 39 value adjustments |
-34.3 | -45.2 | ||||||
Total, borrowings outstanding* |
13,621.5 | 17,939.5 | ||||||
* | May differ from the sum of individual figures due to rounding. |
|
(1) | See also Notes 13 and 17 to the Financial Statements included as Exhibit III to this Report on Form 18-K. |
Between January 1, 2007, and August 31, 2007, NIB borrowed EUR 2,527.7 million ($3,464.2
million) in the following
currencies:(2)
Millions | Millions | |||||||
Currency of Borrowing | of EUR | of USD | ||||||
U.S. dollars |
860.0 | 1,178.6 | ||||||
Japanese yen |
581.0 | 796.3 | ||||||
Pound sterling |
370.9 | 508.3 | ||||||
Norwegian kroner |
215.0 | 294.7 | ||||||
Canadian dollars |
206.3 | 282.7 | ||||||
Icelandic kronur |
150.4 | 206.1 | ||||||
Russian roubles |
57.9 | 79.3 | ||||||
New Turkish lira |
35.8 | 49.1 |
7
Millions | Millions | |||||||
Currency of Borrowing | of EUR | of USD | ||||||
Capitalization of previous borrowing transactions |
46.7 | 64.0 | ||||||
Premium/Discount |
3.7 | 5.1 | ||||||
Total* |
2,527.7 | 3,464.2 | ||||||
* | May differ from the sum of individual figures due to rounding. | |
(2) | Amounts converted into Euro at the following August 31, 2007, exchange rates: 1 EUR = 1.3705 U.S. Dollars; 159.25 Japanese yen; 0.67795 Pound Sterling; 7.944 Norwegian kroner; 1.4446 Canadian dollars; 35.067 Russian Roubles; 86.16 Icelandic kronur; and 1.7817 New Turkish lira. |
Schedules containing information with respect to all outstanding borrowings of NIB at December
31, 2006, and August 31, 2007 are included as Exhibits I and V, respectively, to this Report on
Form 18-K. NIB may from time to time hereafter issue additional debt securities denominated in
various currencies or currency units.
There have been no defaults by NIB in the payment of any principal or interest in respect of
any of its debt.
BORROWING PROGRAMS AND LIQUIDITY MANAGEMENT
NIB finances its lending activities by borrowing and issuing bonds on various global and
domestic capital markets. The Bank carries out its borrowing in accordance with a global strategy
designed to meet its investors’ needs for investments with the highest possible credit rating. A
large portion of NIB’s medium- and long-term borrowing is conducted under its Euro Medium Term Note
program (the “EMTN-program”) which currently has a ceiling of EUR 15 billion ($19,755 million). The
EMTN-program is not exclusively tailored for issues placed in Europe but can also be used for
issues placed outside of Europe, subject to local regulatory requirements. The program also enables
NIB to arrange structured transactions.
During 2002 NIB changed its U.S domestic medium-term note program, which was originally
established in 1993, to a global program. The program was registered with the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission (“SEC”) with a ceiling of USD 3 billion, which amount was increased to USD 8
billion in 2004. This program was replaced in May 2007 by a new SEC -registered U.S. MTN Series D
program with a ceiling of USD 10 billion.
In 1996, NIB established a domestic Swedish medium-term note program with a ceiling of SEK
4 billion ($582.7 million), which was increased to SEK 8 billion ($1,165.4 million) in
1998.(1)
In addition, in 1999 NIB also established a domestic Australian dollar medium-term note
program with a ceiling of AUD 2 billion ($1,578.1 million).(2)
During 2006 NIB borrowed EUR 2,688.6 million ($3,540.9 million) by means of 66 transactions in
eleven different currencies. EUR 1,094.5 million ($1,441.5 million) of this total came from 59
transactions under the EMTN-program. Under the global program NIB issued its fifth global benchmark
issue of USD 1 billion, which was registered with the SEC and listed on the Luxembourg Stock
Exchange. A sixth global benchmark issue of USD 1 billion was issued in January 2007 before the
U.S. MTN Series D program was adopted. Since the adoption of the Series D program, NIB has
completed an additional global benchmark issue of USD 1.5 billion in September 2007. The average
maturity for NIB’s 2006 borrowing operations is 4.1 years, compared with 4.8 years in 2005.
For the years 2006, 2007 and 2008, the Board of Directors of the Bank has authorized the Bank
to raise medium- and long-term borrowing up to EUR 4 billion ($5,268 million), EUR 5 billion
($6,585 million) and EUR 4.5 billion ($6,624.5 million)(3) respectively.
NIB has had a commercial paper program in the U.S. market since 1980 and in the Euro market
since 1987. In addition, NIB obtains short-term funds in the interbank market through deposits.
These deposits are undertaken in most of the currencies listed under “Funded Debt” above. For each
of the years 2006, 2007 and 2008, the Board of Directors has authorized the Bank to raise
short-term funding, provided that the outstanding amount at any time does not exceed EUR 1 billion
($1,317 million), EUR 2 billion ($2,634 million) and 2 billion ($2,944.2 million)(4)
respectively.
(1) | At the exchange rate of 1 SEK = USD 0.1457 and 1 AUD = USD 0.7890 as of December 29, 2006. | |
(2) | At the exchange rate of 1 SEK = USD 0.1457 and 1 AUD = USD 0.7890 as of December 29, 2006. | |
(3) | At the exchange rate of 1 EUR = USD 1.4721 as of December 31, 2007. | |
(4) | At the exchange rate of 1 EUR = USD 1.4721 as of December 31, 2007. |
8
The amounts of medium-term notes issued under the programs referred to above are set forth in
Note 12 to the Financial Statements. There was no need to issue notes under the Commercial Paper
programs in 2006 and NIB had no borrowings outstanding under the programs at year-end, which was
also the case at year-end 2005. The figures for the interbank market were EUR 620 million ($816.5
million) at year-end 2006, compared with EUR 568.1 million ($748.2 million) at year-end 2005.
NIB’s goal is to continuously maintain a sufficient amount of liquidity to give the Bank
flexibility in carrying out its borrowing program. In general, NIB strives to achieve a level of
net liquidity that corresponds to its liquidity needs for twelve months. This enables the Bank to
avoid accessing capital markets for borrowing during times of unfavorable market conditions. The
Bank’s net liquidity amounted to EUR 3,223.7 million ($4,245.6 million) at December 31, 2006,
compared with EUR 3,100.6 million ($4,083.5 million) at December 31, 2005. The solidity ratio was
11.2% at December 31, 2006, and was 10.7% at December 31, 2005.
NIB’s liquidity is primarily placed in U.S. dollars and Euro at variable interest rates. The
U.S. dollar constituted 25.9% and the Euro 73.7% of the Bank’s liquidity at December 31, 2006. The
Bank’s liquid assets are placed in the short-term market, using several different money market
instruments. These consist of deposits, floating rate notes (FRN), asset-backed securities and
asset swaps.
NIB has an external interest rate trading programme related to the management of its
liquidity. The purpose of the programme is to utilize active trading as a way of increasing return,
as well as strengthening and benchmarking NIB’s own internal liquidity management. By the end of
2006, NIB had contracted four asset management firms for the management of a USD denominated
nominal portfolio of USD 250 million, corresponding to EUR 189.8 million.
NIB’s equity rose during 2006 from EUR 1,945.6 million ($2,562.4 million) to EUR 2,020.9
million ($2,661.5 million). Profits for the year amounted to EUR 137.5 million ($181.1 million).
NIB strives to achieve a stable return on its equity. The Bank invests an amount corresponding to
its equity in a separate interest-bearing securities portfolio, which is composed mostly of fixed
and floating rate securities but which also includes some derivative financial instruments,
primarily financial futures contracts (For further information in this regard, please see “Risk
Management”). NIB refers to this as its EUR fixed income portfolio. The return on this portfolio is
an important contributor to NIB’s total profits. For accounting purposes, this portfolio is divided
into one portfolio of securities that are anticipated to be held until maturity (the investment
portfolio), and another portfolio, a marked-to-market portfolio which consists of securities that
can be bought and sold continuously, based on an assessment of market developments (the trading
portfolio). The distribution between the portfolios was 68% of total placements in the investment
portfolio and 32% in the trading portfolio at year-end 2006.
As noted below under “Risk Management” the Bank has established financial guidelines, which
stipulate that all kinds of risk should be kept under strict control. In accordance therewith, the
Bank utilizes both interest rate and currency swaps and other derivatives, primarily futures and
forward contracts, in connection with its borrowing, lending and investment of liquid funds, in
order to keep its foreign currency and interest rate risk within established limits. The volume of
outstanding derivatives as of December 31, 2006, are set forth in Note 11 to the Financial
Statements included as Exhibit III to this Report on Form 18-K.
RISK MANAGEMENT
NIB’s constituent documents require that loans be made in accordance with sound banking
principles, that adequate security be obtained for the loans and that the Bank protect itself
against the risk of exchange rate losses. The main risks: credit risk, market risk, liquidity risk
and operational risk, are managed carefully with risk management closely integrated into the Bank’s
business processes. NIB is not subject to any national or international banking regulations.
However, the Bank’s risk management procedures are reviewed and refined on an ongoing basis in
order to comply in substance with what management identifies as the relevant evolving market
standards, recommendations and best practices.
Key risk responsibilities
The Board of Directors defines the overall risk profile of the Bank by approving its financial
policies. These include maximum limits for exposure to various types of risk. Credit approval is
primarily the responsibility of the Board of Directors, with some delegation of approval authority
to the President. The business units Lending and Treasury are responsible for managing the risks
assumed through their operations and for ensuring that an adequate return for the risks taken is
achieved. The Risk Management
9
Department, the Credit and Analysis Department and the Internal Audit Department are
independent from the departments carrying out the Bank’s business activities. The Risk Management
Department has the overall responsibility for identifying, assessing, monitoring and reporting all
types of risk inherent in the Bank’s operations. Credit and Analysis is responsible for assessing
and monitoring credit risk in the Bank’s lending operations. Internal Audit provides an independent
evaluation of the control and risk management processes. Three committees comprising senior
officers supervise the Bank’s aggregate risk-taking so that it is consistent with its financial
resources and risk profile and seek to ensure that risk and return are balanced and appropriate
under prevailing market conditions. The Management Committee has the overall responsibility for
risk management. The Credit Committee’s focus is on credit risk in the Bank’s lending operations,
while the Finance Committee oversees risks in the Bank’s treasury operations.
Credit risk
Credit risk is NIB’s main financial risk. Credit risk is the risk that the Bank’s
counterparties fail to fulfill their contractual obligations and that any collateral provided does
not cover the Bank’s claims. Following from NIB’s mandate and financial structure, most of the
credit risk arises in its lending operations. In the Bank’s treasury activities, credit risk
derives from the financial assets and derivative instruments used for investing the Bank’s
liquidity as well as from the management of exchange rate and interest rate risks and other market
risks related to structured funding transactions.
The Bank’s credit risk management is based on an internal credit risk rating system, a limit
system based on the credit risk ratings and on a model for calculation of economic capital for the
management of portfolio-level credit risk.
Credit risk rating - The credit risk rating of a counterparty is based on the probability of
default (“PD”) of the counterparty. The PD is assessed using a rating tool comprising quantitative
and qualitative factors. Based on the PD the borrower is assigned a rating class on a scale from
1-20, with class 1 referring to the lowest probability of default and class 20 to the highest
probability of default. Each transaction is assigned a risk class reflecting the expected loss.
Expected loss is the combined effect of the PD of the counterparty and NIB’s estimate of the
portion of NIB’s claim that would not be recoverable if the counterparty in fact defaults. The
non-recoverable portion, i.e. the loss given default (“LGD”), is determined based on benchmark
values for unsecured transactions and by the use of a security rating tool for secured
transactions. The risk classes range from 1 to 20, such that risk
class 1 refers to the lowest credit risk and class 20 to the highest
credit risk. The counterparty ratings and the transaction risk classes form the basis for setting
exposure limits, for risk-based pricing of loans as well as for monitoring and reporting the Bank’s
credit quality.
Credit limits — NIB applies a limit system in which maximum exposure to a counterparty is
determined based on the probability of default and the expected loss. The limits are aligned to the
Bank’s equity and to the counterparty’s equity. For further information on rules regarding exposure
to individual borrowers and the composition of the portfolio, see “Operations of NIB — Loan
Policy”.
Measurement of credit risk exposure - For loans and capital market investments, credit
exposure is measured in terms of gross nominal amounts, without recognizing the availability of
collateral or other credit enhancement.
As regards derivatives, the Bank enters into the International Swaps and Derivatives
Association (ISDA) contract with its counterparties. This allows for the netting of the obligations
arising under all derivative contracts covered by the ISDA agreement in case of insolvency and,
thus, results in one single net claim on, or payable to, the counterparty. Netting is applied for
the measurement of the Bank’s credit risk exposure only in cases when it is deemed to be legally
enforceable in the relevant jurisdiction and against a counterparty.
For swaps, the credit risk exposure is measured as the current market value plus an allowance
for potential increases in the exposure over the transaction’s lifetime (often referred to as
potential exposure). The add-on for potential exposure reflects the fact that significant
fluctuations in the swaps’ value may occur over time. The Bank enters into credit support
agreements with its major swap counterparties. This provides risk mitigation, as the swap
transactions are regularly marked-to-market and the party that is the net obligor is required to
post collateral. Only the value of an obligation above a certain threshold level is normally
collateralized. The Bank strives to use one-way credit support agreements under which the Bank does
not have to post collateral. When credit support agreements are in place, an add-on is not
applied in the exposure calculation.
Economic capital — During 2006 NIB further developed its economic capital model. This model
assesses the total economic capital that the Bank requires in order to absorb severe unexpected
losses,
10
with a defined level of certainty. The economic capital requirement is estimated for each of
the main risks, credit risk, market risk and operational risk. The economic capital model uses the
PD and LGD values arrived at in the internal rating process and it is designed to capture
correlations between assets in various sectors and geographical regions as well as the correlation
between different types of risk. As such, the output gives an aggregated view of the Bank’s risk
position at a certain point in time. Over time the model assists in tracking trends in the Bank’s
total risk as the portfolio changes.
Market risk
Market risk includes, inter alia, the risk that losses are incurred as a result of
fluctuations in exchange rates and interest rates. The Bank’s exposure to exchange rate risk occurs
when it translates assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies into the functional
currency, the euro. The Bank’s strategy to fund its operations by borrowing in the international
capital markets and making loans in currencies other than those borrowed creates currency
mismatches in assets and liabilities. Furthermore, the funds borrowed often have other interest
rate structures than applied in the loans made to the Bank’s customers. NIB seeks to reduce its
exposure to exchange rate risk and interest rate risk created in the normal course of business by
the use of derivative instruments. The residual risk must be kept within the limits approved by the
Board of Directors. Such limits are kept very narrow to accommodate the Statutes, which stipulate
that the Bank is not allowed to bear foreign exchange risks that could affect its financial
position and net income, other than to a marginal extent.
Foreign exchange risk is the impact of unanticipated changes in foreign exchange rates on the
Bank’s assets and liabilities and on net interest income. The Bank measures and manages foreign
exchange risk in terms of the net nominal value of all assets and liabilities per currency on a
daily basis (translation risk). The Board of Directors sets the limits for acceptable currency
positions, i.e. the difference between assets and liabilities in a specific currency. The overnight
exposure to any one currency may not exceed the equivalent of EUR 4 million ($5,888.4
million).(5) The currency positions are monitored against the established limits on a
daily basis and reported regularly to the Finance Committee.
The Bank does not have a policy on hedging future net interest income in foreign currency.
Loans are provided primarily in euros and US dollars and there is a possibility that interest
income in US dollars may cause some fluctuation in the Bank’s future net income in euro terms.
However, at present the Bank expects that any such potential fluctuations in the future cash flows
from its current portfolio would be minor in relation to the Bank’s total assets and equity.
Interest rate risk is the impact that fluctuations in market interest rates can have on the
value of the Bank’s interest-bearing assets and liabilities and on net interest income. The Bank’s
sensitivity to interest rate fluctuations is measured on a daily basis using gap analysis. The
Board of Directors sets limits for the acceptable gap in each currency. In addition, an overall
limit is set for the total acceptable gap. All limits are set in relation to the Bank’s equity and
they are adjusted annually. At present this overall limit is EUR 40 million ($58,9
million)(6), or approximately 2% of the Bank’s equity and at the end of December 2007 the
exposure was EUR 6.6 million
($9.7 million).(7)
A part of the Bank’s interest rate risk comprises refinancing and reinvestment risks. The Bank
manages the refinancing and reinvestment risk within a set of conservative limits with a view to
best accommodating the demand from its customers on the one hand and the demand from investors in
its bond issues on the other. The Board of Directors sets limits for acceptable refinancing and
reinvestment risk. The limits are scaled to the Bank’s equity and adjusted annually. Currently the
maximum limit for refinancing and reinvestment risk is EUR 20 million ($29.4 million)(8),
which is approximately 1 % of NIB’s equity. NIB’s total exposure at the end of December 2007 was
approximately 92% of the total limit. In addition, a EUR 2 billion ($2,944.2 million)(9)
ceiling has been established to limit the difference in the cash flow from assets and liabilities
in the course of any given year. This serves to prevent a large concentration of refinancing or
reinvestment needs in the capital markets in one single year.
Interest rate risk on the EUR fixed income portfolio, which contains assets to an amount corresponding to the Bank’s equity, is measured using modified duration and Value-at-Risk (VaR)
analysis. The limits for modified duration and VaR are approved by the Board of Directors. The
current limit for the held-to-maturity portfolio is a modified duration of 3-5.5 years and for the
marked-to-market portfolio 0.5-5.5
(5) | At the exchange rate of 1 EUR = USD 1.4721 as of December 31, 2007. | |
(6) | At the exchange rate of 1 EUR = USD 1.4721 as of December 31, 2007. | |
(7) | The corresponding figures for the previous five financial years were as follows: 2006, EUR 1.4 million ($1.8 million); 2005, EUR 7.4 million ($9.7 million); 2004, EUR 3.3 million ($4.3 million); 2003, EUR 2.7 million ($3.6 million); 2002, EUR 4.2 million ($5.5 million). | |
(8) | At the exchange rate of 1 EUR = USD 1.4721 as of December 31, 2007. | |
(9) | At the exchange rate of 1 EUR = USD 1.4721 as of December 31, 2007. |
11
years. The VaR limit for the marked-to-market portfolio is 0.40% based on a 95% confidence
level and a holding period of one day.
NIB’s exposure to credit spread changes is monitored by calculating the impact of a 1 basis
point change in credit spreads to the value of the bonds held in the Bank’s marked-to-market
portfolios.
Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk management safeguards the ability of the Bank to meet all payment obligations
when they become due. NIB’s policy is to maintain a liquidity corresponding to its net liquidity
requirements for 12 months. The liquid assets consist of receivables from banks and high-quality
marketable securities denominated primarily in euros and US dollars. An important element of the
liquidity risk management is also the Bank’s aim to diversify its funding sources in terms of,
inter alia, investor type and geographical region.
Operational risk
Operational risk can broadly be defined as any risk which is neither credit risk nor market
risk. More precisely, it is the risk of financial losses or damaged reputation due to failure
attributable to technology, employees, procedures or physical arrangements including external
events and legal risks.
The Bank’s status as an international financial institution with immunities and privileges
granted to the Bank and its personnel, and the fact that the Bank is not bound by or under the
supervision of any national laws as such, results in a specific need to address potential risks by
adopting an extensive set of guidelines, regulations, rules and instructions governing the
activities of the Bank and its staff.
The Bank’s operational risk management focuses on proactive measures in order to ensure
business continuity, accuracy of information used internally and reported externally, the expertise
and integrity of the Bank’s personnel and its adherence to established rules and procedures as well
as on security arrangements to protect the physical infrastructure of the Bank. The Bank attempts
to mitigate operational risks by following strict rules for the assignment of duties and
responsibilities among and within the business and support functions and by following a system of
internal control and supervision. The main principle for organizing work flows is to segregate
business-generating functions from recording and monitoring functions. An important factor in
operational risk mitigation is also the continuous development and upgrading of strategic
information and communication systems.
LENDING OPERATIONS OF NIB
Credit Policy
Mission and mandate
NIB’s basic lending objective is to provide funds for eligible projects as determined by the
Bank in accordance with the Statutes. The requirements for the Bank’s lending objectives are not
strictly defined but are evaluated in each case on the merit of the respective project.
NIB works towards closer economic integration between its Member countries. Each eligible
project must be assessed as being economically, financially, technically and environmentally
viable. Each eligible project must also further the overall objectives established for the Bank by
its Member countries and, in the case of investments outside of the Member countries, the
development objectives of the recipient country. Furthermore, in the case of NIB’s lending outside
the Member countries, an agreement is required regarding each recipient country’s recognition of
NIB as a legal person under public international law and as having legal capacity under the
municipal law of the country in question as well as recognition of NIB’s status as a MFI. The Bank
follows a policy similar to that of other multilateral financial institutions as regards the debt
service obligations of its borrowers. Therefore, the Bank has not participated in any debt
reschedulings of national debt.
The mission of NIB currently defined is to promote sustainable growth of its Member countries
by providing long-term complementary financing, based on sound banking principles, to projects that
strengthen competitiveness and enhance the environment. Pursuant to its current strategy NIB
promotes competitiveness and supports the environment by providing financing in the form of loans
and guarantees for activities in which NIB can add value and complement other
financing sources. Moreover, NIB continues to assess the environmental aspect of all its
financing. NIB remains flexible in terms of supporting different
12
areas of the economy but puts particular emphasis on projects involving: 1) investments in
infrastructure; 2) investments improving the environment; 3) large investments by the corporate
sector; and 4) small and medium-sized enterprises, targeted in cooperation with financial
intermediaries. While maintaining focus on activities in the Member countries, NIB aims at
continued expansion of activities in the neighbouring areas and in other countries where a mutual
interest is identified.
There are no specific requirements that NIB favor particular industries, economic sectors or
countries as potential recipients, and there is no specified limit on the aggregate amount of loans
that may be made to borrowers from a particular Member country. Loans may be granted for both
governmental and private projects. A loan will not be made, nor a guarantee provided, if it is
opposed by the government of the country in which the related project is located. The Bank has a
number of tools available in assessing the eligibility of the projects. The Bank has a mandate
rating tool as well as a newly revised environmental policy to safeguard that its financing
fulfills the objectives and mission of the Bank.
Risk assessment
The operations of NIB are to be conducted in accordance with sound banking principles and
loans and guarantees are to be granted on commercial banking terms. Within the framework of NIB’s
financial guidelines and risk management, the Bank’s lending operations are classified with respect
to counterparty risk and the value of the security provided. A risk class is then determined for
each loan, see “Risk Management”.
In addition to the overall lending exposures set in Section 7 of the Statutes, specific limits
apply on the portfolio (country and sector) and on the counterparty level. The Board of Directors
of NIB has decided that the maximum amount of loans by the Bank granted for a single project
generally should not exceed 50% of the total cost of the project and that the maximum amount
granted to borrowers belonging to a single group of companies should not, as a rule, exceed 20% of
the Bank’s paid-in capital and general reserves. This 20% limit is not applicable for loans under
special lending programs or if the loans are secured by a guarantee from any of the Member
countries. In contrast, the 20% limit is reduced in the case of less creditworthy borrowers.
The table below shows NIB’s 10 largest exposures under its ordinary lending (as defined below)
,including issued guarantees, at December 31, 2006, calculated as a percentage of a) total amount
outstanding under the authorization and b) the paid-in capital and general reserves of the Bank.
% of the paid-in | ||||||||
% of total | capital and | |||||||
amount | general | |||||||
Rank | outstanding | reserves | ||||||
1
|
2.9 | 16.8 | ||||||
2
|
2.6 | 14.8 | ||||||
3
|
2.3 | 13.3 | ||||||
4
|
2.0 | 11.7 | ||||||
5
|
2.0 | 11.4 | ||||||
6
|
2.0 | 11.2 | ||||||
7
|
1.9 | 10.9 | ||||||
8
|
1.8 | 10.6 | ||||||
9
|
1.8 | 10.3 | ||||||
10
|
1.8 | 10.1 |
The Board of Directors has decided to limit the exposure (defined as total disbursements and
loan commitments) of PIL (defined below) loans by setting a country limit related to the size and
credit standing of the host country. For information about NIB’s exposure under the PIL-facility,
see “Lending in Non-Member countries – Project Investment Loans.”
The Statutes require that the Bank obtain adequate security for its loans unless sufficient
security is considered to exist under the circumstances. There are no specific requirements
regarding the types of security that the Bank may accept. The Bank may grant unsecured loans to
counterparties that are sufficiently creditworthy. In such lending the Bank requires various
undertakings by the counterparty (i.e. negative pledge and other financial or non-financial
covenants). The Bank generally requires higher degrees of credit enhancement for project and
structured finance transactions. At December 31, 2006,
13
4.4% of NIB’s outstanding loans were directly to, or guaranteed by, Member countries or local
authorities therein, and an additional 25.5 % were to or guaranteed by other countries (including
emerging market countries), banks and companies 50% or more owned by Member countries or local
authorities therein. Other than 0.2% of the outstanding loans, the remainder had some form of
protection through collateral, corporate or other guarantees or covenants.
As noted above, NIB is required under the Statutes to protect itself against foreign exchange
rate risks. NIB’s general policy is to grant loans in the same currencies in which it borrows and
not to convert funds obtained by it into other currencies without appropriate forward exchange risk
coverage. Loans may be denominated in more than one currency and, although disbursements may be
made in other currencies, must be repaid in the currencies in which they are denominated.
In 2000, NIB further enhanced and improved its systems in order to control and measure the
matching of the maturities of its loans to those of its borrowings. In this connection, the Board
of Directors approved conservative limits for the maximum impact on the Bank’s net interest income
due to future refinancing or reinvestment risks in its balance sheet. For further information in
this regard, see “Risk Management.”
The majority of the Bank’s loans are made with final maturities of between five and fifteen
years. Disbursements, amortizations and final maturities of the Bank’s loans are dependent upon
each project’s schedule of development, cash flow generation, ultimate economic life and the
availability to NIB of appropriate financing.
Pricing policy
The Bank’s Statutes require it to grant loans on sound banking terms. Therefore there is no
subsidy element in the terms offered by the Bank. Loans and guarantees are priced to cover the
Bank’s cost of funds, its administrative costs and the cost of the risk involved in a loan. In
addition, a reasonable return on the capital employed should be achieved. The Bank has a risk based
pricing tool for the pricing of its loans. See “Risk Management”.
NIB’s loans are made at both fixed and floating rates of interest, but in either case the rate
is determined by reference to the incremental cost of funds in the relevant currency and by the
underlying security and maturity of the loan. In order for NIB to be compensated for maintaining
sufficient liquidity and to accommodate its borrowers’ loan disbursement requirements, NIB has
established a schedule of commitment fees to be charged on the undisbursed portions of its loan
commitments. The total price of NIB’s loans may also include other fees.
Credit risk monitoring and provision policy
The Bank pays specific attention to the monitoring of its lending exposure. The monitoring
covers the lending counterparties’ repayment ability, the value of the credit enhancement, the
factors that affect the risk classification and the lending counterparty’s compliance with all
terms and conditions of the transaction. Project and structured finance transactions are subject to
more detailed monitoring. Furthermore, all loans deemed to represent high credit risk and all
watch-listed loans are subject to more detailed and specific monitoring and reporting requirements.
A loan is classified as impaired when it is considered likely that the counterparty in a
lending transaction is unable to meet its contractual obligations and the estimated value of any
collateral provided is deemed insufficient, and thus the Bank is at risk for a credit loss. An
allowance for the impairment is calculated and recognized in the Bank’s financial statements in
accordance with the IFRS requirements. In respect of PIL loans, impairment losses are recognized
for the part of the loan’s outstanding principal, interest and fees that correspond to the Bank’s
own risk for PIL loans.
Loans and lending programs
The Bank has currently two main categories of lending, ordinary lending and lending under
special programs.
Ordinary loans
NIB’s ceiling for ordinary lending amounts to 250% of its authorized capital stock and
accumulated, unallocated reserves (the Statutory Reserve and the General Credit Risk Fund). After
allocation of the profit for fiscal year 2006 the Bank’s ordinary lending ceiling amounts to EUR
13,631 million ($17,952 million).
14
See “Capitalization and Reserves – Authorized Capital Stock.” At December 31, 2006,
outstanding ordinary loans amounted to the equivalent of EUR 9,397 million ($12,375.8 million) and
issued guarantees amounted to the equivalent of EUR 25 million ($32.9 million), which together
represented 175.6% of the Bank’s authorized capital stock and accumulated, unallocated reserves as
of December 31, 2006.
Special lending programs
The
Bank has currently
two(10) special lending programs in addition to its ordinary
lending.
NIB may make project investment loans and give related guarantees under the project investment
loans (“PIL”) facility. The authorization for the PIL facility is EUR 4 billion ($5,268 million).
PIL loans outstanding as of December 31, 2006 totaled EUR 2,027.9 million ($2,670 million). No
guarantee was issued under this facility.
Under the Environmental Investment Loan Facility (“MIL”), the Bank may make investment loans
and guarantees up to a maximum amount of EUR 300 million ($395.1 million) to finance projects to
improve the environment and reduce pollution in the regions neighboring the Member countries. MIL
loans outstanding at December 31, 2006 totaled EUR 105.5 million ($138.9 million). No guarantee was
issued under this facility.
For a further description of the special lending programs, see ““Lending in Non-Member
countries.”
Lending in Member countries
The Bank’s lending in Member countries comprises ordinary loans which can be grouped into two
categories, investment loans and regional loans. At December 31, 2006, investment loan, regional
loan and Baltic Investment
Loans(11) commitments totaled EUR 9,609.5 million ($12,655.7
million), of which EUR 9,206.1 million ($12,124.4 million) was outstanding. Guarantees issued
amounted to EUR 25 million ($32.9 million) at December 31, 2006.
Investment Loans
At December 31, 2006, investment loans were granted for projects situated in the Member
countries or for projects situated outside the Member countries if either the security or the party
providing security for the project or the borrower was located in one of the Member countries. At
December 31, 2006, NIB had investment loan commitments totaling EUR 9,582.7 million ($12,620.4
million), of which EUR 9,179.3 million ($12,089.1 million) was outstanding.
Regional Loans
Since June 1980, NIB has made loans to national regional credit institutions in the Nordic
countries that have been designated as eligible loan recipients by the Nordic Council of Ministers.
The loans are on-lent by the recipients to investment projects in development regions within the
Nordic countries pursuant to a program for Nordic regional cooperation adopted by the Nordic
Council of Ministers. The facility is limited to 5% of the ceiling for ordinary lending, or EUR
681.6 million ($897.6 million) at December 31, 2006. At December 31, 2006, NIB had commitments for
7 regional loans totaling EUR 23.1 million ($30.4 million), all of which were outstanding.
The table below shows the number, principal amount and percentage distribution of investment
loans and regional loans outstanding as well as issued guarantees at December 31, 2006, allocated
by country according to the domicile of the borrower’s group headquarters.
(10) | At the exchange rate of 1 EUR = USD 1.4721 as of December 31, 2007. | |
(11) | Under the Baltic investment loans (“BIL”) facility, the Bank was authorized to make special investment loans and guarantees up to a maximum amount of EUR 60 million ($79 million). This facility expired at the end of 1999. At December 31, 2006, outstanding BIL totaled only EUR 3.9 million ($5.1 million) and comprised only one loan. This loan was repaid in November 2007. No guarantee was issued under this facility. |
15
Number | Amount | Amount | ||||||||||||||||||
of | (millions | (millions | ||||||||||||||||||
Loans | Loans | Percentage | of EUR) | Percentage | of USD) | |||||||||||||||
Denmark |
64 | 11.9 | % | 1,164.4 | 12.6 | % | 1,533.5 | |||||||||||||
Investment Loans |
64 | 1,164.4 | ||||||||||||||||||
Regional Loans |
0 | 0.0 | ||||||||||||||||||
Estonia |
15 | 2.8 | % | 179.7 | 1.9 | % | 236.7 | |||||||||||||
Investment Loans |
15 | 179.7 | ||||||||||||||||||
Finland |
163 | 30.3 | % | 2,525.4 | 27.4 | % | 3,326.0 | |||||||||||||
Investment Loans |
162 | 2,521.5 | ||||||||||||||||||
Regional Loans |
1 | 3.8 | ||||||||||||||||||
Iceland |
67 | 12.5 | % | 734.6 | 8.0 | % | 967.5 | |||||||||||||
Investment Loans |
61 | 715.3 | ||||||||||||||||||
Regional Loans |
6 | 19.3 | ||||||||||||||||||
Latvia |
50 | 9.3 | % | 192.4 | 2.1 | % | 253.4 | |||||||||||||
Investment Loans |
50 | 192.4 | ||||||||||||||||||
Lithuania |
20 | 3.7 | % | 53.0 | 0.6 | % | 69.8 | |||||||||||||
Investment Loans |
20 | 53.0 | ||||||||||||||||||
Norway |
49 | 9.1 | % | 1,341.2 | 14.5 | % | 1,766.4 | |||||||||||||
Investment Loans |
49 | 1,341.2 | ||||||||||||||||||
Regional Loans |
0 | 0.0 | ||||||||||||||||||
Sweden |
109 | 20.3 | % | 3,021.9 | 32.7 | % | 3,979.8 | |||||||||||||
Investment Loans |
109 | 3,021.9 | ||||||||||||||||||
Regional Loans |
0 | 0.0 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total Loans* |
537 | 99.8 | % | 9,212.6 | 99.8 | % | 12,133.0 | |||||||||||||
Guarantees: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Finland |
1 | 0.2 | % | 25.0 | 0.3 | % | 32.9 | |||||||||||||
Total Guarantees |
1 | 0.2 | % | 25.0 | 0.3 | % | 32.9 | |||||||||||||
IAS 39-value adjustments |
-10.2 | -13.4 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total Loans and Guarantees* |
538 | 100.0 | % | 9,227.4 | 100.0 | % | 12,152.5 | |||||||||||||
* | May differ from the sum of individual figures due to rounding. |
Lending in Non-Member countries
Although a majority of the Bank’s loans have been made for projects located in the Member
countries, an increasing number of loans are being made for projects located elsewhere. As noted
above, the Bank’s lending in non-Member countries comprises the special lending programs PIL and
MIL and other international investment loans. At December 31, 2006 commitments for such loans
totaled EUR 3,427.9 million ($4,514.5 million), of which EUR 2,328.1 million ($3,066.1 million) was
outstanding. At December 31, 2006, there were no guarantees issued under lending in non-Member
countries.
Project Investment Loans (PIL)
PIL loans and guarantees are intended to finance projects in the growth markets of Asia, Latin
America, Central and Eastern Europe, Africa and the Middle East, where such projects are in the
interest of Member countries and the recipient countries. These loans are intended to help meet the
demand for long-term financing of projects and are made in accordance with regular banking
practices. A majority of such loans are made to governments or against government guarantees. Such
loans can also be made for infrastructure projects and other projects in recipient countries, as
approved by NIB, without a direct guarantee from the government. Projects may be co-financed with
the World Bank, other multilateral and bilateral institutions as well as with commercial banks.
The authorization for the PIL facility is set forth in the Statutes and the PIL facility
currently may not exceed EUR 4 billion ($5,268 million). Each PIL loan is guaranteed on an
individual basis by the Member countries for a maximum of 90% of its principal amount plus interest
up to an aggregate amount of EUR 1.8
16
billion ($2,370.6 million), or 45.0% of the total program. The Board of Directors has the
authority to designate which loans and guarantees should be included in this program at any given
time. The Board of Directors also determines whether to call on the Member country guarantees.
Since the inception of the program in 1982 no such calls have been made. The authorization for the
program has been increased several times. The last increase in the PIL-facility from EUR 3.3
billion ($4,346.1 million) to EUR 4 billion ($5,268 million), with no change in the EUR 1.8 billion
($2,370.6 million) guarantee limit, became effective on July 1, 2004. In connection with this
increase, and with the same effective date, NIB decided to adjust the guidelines for calling the
Member countries’ guarantees. Under the adjusted guidelines, NIB will assume 100% of any losses
occurred under an individual PIL loan, up to the amount available at any given time in the Special
Credit Risk Fund PIL. Only thereafter would NIB call the Member countries’ guarantees.
At December 31, 2006, NIB had commitments for 397 project investment loans totaling EUR
2,745.3 million ($3,615.6 million), of which EUR 2,028 million ($2,670.9 million) was outstanding.
The table below shows the allocation of project investment loans by number and outstanding
principal amount as well as total commitments for each country at December 31, 2006.
Loans | Total | |||||||||||||||||||
outstanding | commitments | |||||||||||||||||||
Number of | millions of | millions of | ||||||||||||||||||
PIL | loans | EUR | USD | EUR | USD | |||||||||||||||
Sovereign PIL |
||||||||||||||||||||
Botswana |
2 | 8.8 | 11.6 | 42.6 | 56.1 | |||||||||||||||
Brazil |
2 | 121.5 | 160.0 | 121.5 | 160.0 | |||||||||||||||
China |
140 | 287.3 | 378.4 | 440.3 | 579.9 | |||||||||||||||
Colombia |
3 | 26.9 | 35.4 | 26.9 | 35.4 | |||||||||||||||
Egypt |
1 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.5 | |||||||||||||||
Hungary |
1 | 4.0 | 5.3 | 25.0 | 32.9 | |||||||||||||||
India |
4 | 28.9 | 38.1 | 28.9 | 38.1 | |||||||||||||||
Indonesia |
11 | 66.8 | 88.0 | 66.8 | 88.0 | |||||||||||||||
Jordan |
2 | 6.3 | 8.3 | 6.8 | 9.0 | |||||||||||||||
Mauritius |
2 | 18.0 | 23.7 | 18.0 | 23.7 | |||||||||||||||
Mexico |
4 | 51.4 | 67.7 | 93.2 | 122.7 | |||||||||||||||
Pakistan |
5 | 10.1 | 13.3 | 10.1 | 13.3 | |||||||||||||||
Peru |
1 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.3 | |||||||||||||||
Philippines |
3 | 24.5 | 32.3 | 24.5 | 32.3 | |||||||||||||||
Poland |
5 | 154.7 | 203.7 | 154.7 | 203.7 | |||||||||||||||
Xxxxxxx |
0 | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 | 00.0 | |||||||||||||||
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx |
1 | 10.0 | 13.2 | 10.0 | 13.2 | |||||||||||||||
South Africa |
2 | 23.7 | 31.2 | 23.7 | 31.2 | |||||||||||||||
Thailand |
6 | 89.2 | 117.5 | 89.2 | 117.5 | |||||||||||||||
Tunisia |
18 | 162.2 | 213.6 | 211.9 | 279.1 | |||||||||||||||
Turkey |
12 | 101.4 | 133.5 | 122.9 | 161.9 | |||||||||||||||
Venezuela |
3 | 49.2 | 64.8 | 49.2 | 64.8 | |||||||||||||||
Vietnam |
30 | 140.3 | 184.8 | 285.7 | 376.3 | |||||||||||||||
Sovereign lending, total* |
262 | 1,434.9 | 1,889.8 | 1,909.5 | 2,514.8 | |||||||||||||||
Non-sovereign PIL |
||||||||||||||||||||
Argentina |
1 | 4.4 | 5.8 | 4.4 | 5.8 | |||||||||||||||
Brazil |
8 | 181.2 | 238.6 | 204.0 | 268.7 | |||||||||||||||
Bulgaria |
2 | 12.0 | 15.8 | 50.0 | 65.9 | |||||||||||||||
Colombia |
3 | 46.3 | 61.0 | 46.3 | 61.0 | |||||||||||||||
Egypt |
1 | 3.3 | 4.3 | 3.3 | 4.3 | |||||||||||||||
India |
5 | 54.3 | 71.5 | 58.8 | 77.4 | |||||||||||||||
Jordan |
1 | 15.2 | 20.0 | 15.2 | 20.0 | |||||||||||||||
Laos |
2 | 13.9 | 18.3 | 29.1 | 38.3 | |||||||||||||||
Multinational |
3 | 55.4 | 73.0 | 93.2 | 122.7 | |||||||||||||||
Peru |
0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 22.8 | 30.0 | |||||||||||||||
Philippines |
3 | 36.1 | 47.5 | 36.1 | 47.5 | |||||||||||||||
Poland |
1 | 3.6 | 4.7 | 8.6 | 11.3 | |||||||||||||||
Romania |
1 | 11.1 | 14.6 | 11.1 | 14.6 |
17
Loans | Total | |||||||||||||||||||
outstanding | commitments | |||||||||||||||||||
Number of | millions of | millions of | ||||||||||||||||||
PIL | loans | EUR | USD | EUR | USD | |||||||||||||||
Russia |
7 | 90.6 | 119.3 | 149.1 | 196.2 | |||||||||||||||
South Africa |
1 | 18.7 | 24.6 | 56.7 | 74.7 | |||||||||||||||
Thailand |
2 | 50.3 | 66.2 | 50.3 | 66.2 | |||||||||||||||
Non-sovereign PIL, total* |
41 | 596.6 | 785.7 | 839.0 | 1,105.0 | |||||||||||||||
PIL, total* |
303 | 2,031.1 | 2,675.0 | 2,748.4 | 3,619.6 | |||||||||||||||
IAS 00-xxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx |
-0.0 | -0.0 | -0.0 | -0.0 | ||||||||||||||||
Total* |
2,028.0 | 2,670.9 | 2,745.3 | 3,615.6 | ||||||||||||||||
* May differ from the sum of individual figures due to rounding. |
Environmental Investment Loans (MIL)
From January 1, 2005, the MIL facility consists of loans and guarantees for the financing of
private and public projects in the neighboring area of the Member countries to improve the
environment and reduce cross border pollution in the region. The authorization for this facility is
currently EUR 300 million ($395.1 million). This facility is 100% guaranteed by the Member
countries. It is within the powers of the Board of Directors to designate which loans and
guarantees should be included under this facility at any given time. At December 31, 2006, NIB had
commitments amounting to EUR 233.3 million ($307.3 million) under this facility, of which EUR 105.5
million ($138.9 million) was outstanding.
The table below shows the allocation of MIL loans by number and outstanding principal amount
as well as total commitments at December 31, 2006.
Loans outstanding | Total commitments | |||||||||||||||||||
Environmental | Number of | millions of | millions of | |||||||||||||||||
investment loans (MIL) | loans | EUR | USD | EUR | USD | |||||||||||||||
Russia |
9 | 105.5 | 138.9 | 233.3 | 307.3 | |||||||||||||||
Total |
9 | 105.5 | 138.9 | 233.3 | 307.3 | |||||||||||||||
Other International Investment Loans
In addition to the project investment loans facility and the environmental investment loans
facility, the Bank also participates in the financing of projects outside the Member countries
under the Bank’s ordinary lending, particularly within the new EU member states and when the
ultimate risk is within the Member countries of the Bank. At December 31, 2006, NIB had commitments
amounting to EUR 449.2 million ($591.6 million) under other international investment loans, of
which EUR 194.6 million ($256.3 million) was outstanding.
The table below shows the allocation of other international investment loans by number and
outstanding principal amount as well as total commitments for each country at December 31, 2006.
Other | Loans outstanding | Total commitments | ||||||||||||||||||
international | Number of | millions of | millions of | |||||||||||||||||
investment loans (IL) | loans | EUR | USD | EUR | USD | |||||||||||||||
Brazil |
1 | 25.2 | 33.2 | 25.2 | 33.2 | |||||||||||||||
Czech Republic |
1 | 10.0 | 13.2 | 15.0 | 19.8 | |||||||||||||||
Hungary |
2 | 50.0 | 65.9 | 50.0 | 65.9 | |||||||||||||||
India |
1 | 30.4 | 40.0 | 30.4 | 40.0 | |||||||||||||||
Marocco |
0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 40.0 | 52.7 | |||||||||||||||
Poland |
2 | 80.4 | 105.9 | 290.1 | 382.1 | |||||||||||||||
Total* |
7 | 195.9 | 258.0 | 450.5 | 593.3 | |||||||||||||||
IAS 00-xxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx |
-0.0 | -0.0 | -0.0 | -0.0 | ||||||||||||||||
Total* |
7 | 194.6 | 256.3 | 449.2 | 591.6 | |||||||||||||||
* | May differ from the sum of individual figures due to rounding. |
18
Loans Outstanding
At December 31, 2006 857 loans amounting to EUR 11,534.2 million ($15,190.5 million) were
outstanding and one loan guarantee amounting to EUR 25.0 million ($32.9 million) had been issued.
The following table sets forth a breakdown as per business sector of NIB’s outstanding loans and
issued guarantees at December 31, 2006.
In millions of | In millions of | |||||||||||
EUR | USD | Percentage | ||||||||||
LENDING IN MEMBER COUNTRIES |
||||||||||||
Mining and quarrying |
102.3 | 134.7 | 1.1 | % | ||||||||
Manufacturing |
3,825.5 | 5,038.2 | 41.5 | %(1) | ||||||||
Electricity, gas and water supply |
2,371.7 | 3,123.5 | 25.7 | % | ||||||||
Construction |
354.9 | 467.4 | 3.9 | % | ||||||||
Wholesale and retail trade |
216.8 | 285.5 | 2.4 | % | ||||||||
Hotels and restaurants |
34.5 | 45.5 | 0.4 | % | ||||||||
Transport, storage and communication |
1,008.5 | 1,328.2 | 10.9 | % | ||||||||
Financial intermediation |
885.7 | 1,166.5 | 9.6 | % | ||||||||
Real estate, renting and business activities |
167.9 | 221.1 | 1.8 | % | ||||||||
Public administration and defense |
1.2 | 1.6 | 0.0 | % | ||||||||
Education |
15.3 | 20.2 | 0.2 | % | ||||||||
Health and social work |
14.1 | 18.6 | 0.2 | % | ||||||||
Other community, social and personal service activities |
148.6 | 195.7 | 1.6 | % | ||||||||
Loan program (unallocated) |
46.3 | 61.0 | 0.5 | % | ||||||||
Regional loans (unspecified) |
23.1 | 30.4 | 0.3 | % | ||||||||
Total* |
9,216.3 | 12,138.0 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||
IAS 39 Value Adjustment** |
-10.2 | -13.4 | ||||||||||
Lending in Member countries total* |
9,206.1 | 12,124.4 | ||||||||||
LENDING IN NON-MEMBER COUNTRIES |
||||||||||||
Agriculture, hunting and forestry |
21.8 | 28.7 | 0.9 | % | ||||||||
Mining and quarrying |
103.6 | 136.4 | 4.4 | % | ||||||||
Manufacturing |
461.4 | 607.7 | 19.8 | % | ||||||||
Electricity, gas and water supply |
625.8 | 824.2 | 26.8 | % | ||||||||
Construction |
127.1 | 167.4 | 5.4 | % | ||||||||
Wholesale and retail trade |
1.7 | 2.2 | 0.1 | % | ||||||||
Hotels and restaurants |
3.4 | 4.5 | 0.1 | % | ||||||||
Transport, storage and communication |
675.9 | 890.2 | 29.0 | % | ||||||||
Financial intermediation |
50.0 | 65.9 | 2.1 | % | ||||||||
Real estate, renting and business activities |
7.8 | 10.3 | 0.3 | % | ||||||||
Public administration and defense |
2.1 | 2.8 | 0.1 | % | ||||||||
Health and social work |
127.1 | 167.4 | 5.4 | % | ||||||||
Other community, social and personal service activities |
75.9 | 100.0 | 3.3 | % | ||||||||
Loan programs (unspecified) |
48.8 | 64.3 | 2.1 | % | ||||||||
Total* |
2,332.5 | 3,071.9 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||
IAS 00 Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx** |
-0.0 | -0.0 | ||||||||||
Lending in non-Member countries total* |
2,328.1 | 3,066.1 | ||||||||||
LENDING TOTAL* |
11,534.2 | 15,190.5 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||
GUARANTEES |
||||||||||||
Member countries |
25.0 | 32.9 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||
Non-Member countries |
0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | % | ||||||||
Total |
25.0 | 32.9 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||
19
(1) | Engineering products has the biggest share, 22% of the total amount outstanding in this sector. | |
* | May differ from the sum of individual figures due to rounding. | |
** | Due to the fact that the portion of the Bank’s loans designated as hedged items (corresponding to approximately 10.9% of total amount outstanding at year end 2006) is carried at fair value. |
At December 31, 2006, loans outstanding at floating interest rates amounted to EUR 10,265.6
million ($13,519.8 million), while those at fixed interest rates amounted to EUR 1,283.8 million
($1,690.8 million). The fixed interest rates ranged from 2.65% per annum on a loan denominated in
Japanese yen to 9.05% per annum on a loan denominated in Swedish kronor.
The following table sets forth the scheduled amortizations of outstanding loans at December
31, 2006.
In millions of | In millions of | |||||||
Amortization in: | EUR | USD | ||||||
2007 |
1,067.4 | 1,405.8 | ||||||
2008 |
1,230.7 | 1,620.8 | ||||||
2009 |
1,282.9 | 1,689.6 | ||||||
2010 |
1,188.9 | 1,565.8 | ||||||
2011 |
1,435.2 | 1,890.2 | ||||||
2012 and thereafter |
5,344.0 | 7,038.0 | ||||||
IAS 39 value adjustment** |
-14.6 | -19.2 | ||||||
Total* |
11,534.2 | 15,190.5 |
* | May differ from the sum of individual figures due to rounding. | |
** | Due to the fact that the portion of the Bank’s loans designated as hedged items (corresponding to approximately 10.9% of total amount outstanding at year end 2006) is carried at fair value. |
The remaining average life of loans outstanding at December 31, 2006, calculated to the next
date on which the Bank has the right to reset the interest rate or currency of denomination, was 5
years and 4 months, with actual maturities from the date of first disbursement ranging from 3 to 30
years.
Outstanding loans at December 31, 2006, were denominated in the following currencies:
Percentage of | ||||
Total Loans | ||||
Currency of Loan | Outstanding(1) | |||
EUR |
49.4 | % | ||
U.S. dollars |
22.8 | % | ||
Swedish kronor |
15.5 | % | ||
Danish kroner |
7.2 | % | ||
Norwegian kroner |
3.9 | % | ||
Swiss franc |
0.6 | % | ||
Japanese yen |
0.3 | % | ||
Pound sterling |
0.1 | % | ||
Icelandic kronur |
0.1 | % | ||
Latvian lats |
0.1 | % | ||
Polish zloty |
0.01 | % | ||
Total* |
100.0 | % |
* | May differ from the sum of individual figures due to rounding. |
20
(1) | Amounts lent in the various currencies differ from the amounts borrowed due to timing differences between the Bank’s fundings and disbursements, the effects of currency swaps entered into by the Bank and the funding of certain loans from the Bank’s paid-in capital. |
Repayment protection
At December 31, 2006, the principal repayment protection for NIB’s outstanding loans was as
follows
Loans to or guaranteed by Member countries(1) |
1.7 | % | ||
Loans to or guaranteed by local authorities in Member countries(1) |
2.7 | % | ||
Loans to or guaranteed by other countries(2) |
13.0 | % | ||
Loans to or guaranteed by companies owned 50 % or more by Member countries |
||||
or local authorities in Member countries(1)(3) |
5.2 | % | ||
Loans to or guaranteed by banks |
7.2 | % | ||
Loans to entities other than the foregoing(4) |
69.8 | % | ||
Loans without security |
0.2 | % | ||
Total* |
100.0 | % |
* | May differ from the sum of individual figures due to rounding. | |
(1) | Of loans outstanding for projects in the Member countries in these categories, which together totaled approximately EUR 1,121.1 million ($1,476.5 million), 0.2% was to Denmark, 0.7% was to Estonia, 20.7% was to Finland, 44.2% was to Iceland, 4.9% was to Latvia, 3.6% was to Lithuania, 16.1% was to Norway and 9.7% was to Sweden. | |
(2) | Loans to or guaranteed by other countries than the Member countries are partly made under special lending programs. | |
(3) | A Member country would not ordinarily be liable for the company’s debts only because it is a controlling shareholder. | |
(4) | Such loans are supported by mortgages and other collateral (3.7%), parent company or other guarantees (22.5%) and negative pledge and other covenants (73.3%). |
OTHER ACTIVITIES
Covered by special purpose funds set up by some of the Member countries, NIB is acting as
executing agent for environmental projects in the neighboring region of Eastern and Central Europe.
NIB participates actively in the environmental partnership within the EU’s northern dimension – The
Northern Dimension Environmental Partnership (“NDEP”), aimed at strengthening cooperation between
the EU Commission, international financial institutions and Russia, to solve urgent environmental
problems within the Northern Dimension area. The NDEP is primarily focused on promoting significant
environmental projects for the achievement of sustainable solutions in the fields of wastewater
treatment, waste management and energy supply, all of which are major sources of cross-border
pollution. NDEP’s activities are led by a Steering group, which selects projects and appoints a
lead bank for each project. The partnership has a support fund with the task of collecting pledges
from donor countries in order to ensure the sufficient financing of the projects. At the end of
2006 the fund had EUR 242.3 million ($319.1 million) at its disposal consisting of contributions
from the EU, the Russian Federation and other donor governments. Two-thirds of the contributions
are earmarked for the clean-up of nuclear waste. The NDEP encompasses at the moment 16 projects in
northwest Russia with an estimated investment need of around EUR 2 billion ($2.6 billion). NIB is
leading the financing and preparation of seven of the projects.
Under a similar arrangement, NIB was active in the development and implementation of the Via
Baltica Transport Corridor. NIB together with other multilateral financial institutions, also
participated in the elaboration of an Agenda 21 for the Baltic Sea Region (“BA 21”). The aim of the
BA 21 is to ensure that economic growth be compatible with environmental concerns, thereby
contributing to sustainable development in the region. The BA 21 was endorsed by the foreign
ministers of the Council of Baltic Sea States at its meeting in June 1998.
On 30 May 2006, NIB signed the European Principles for the Environment, an initiative launched
in response to the drive for increased harmonisation of environmental principles, practices and
standards associated with the financing of projects. These principles aim at establishing a common
approach to environmental management associated with the financing of projects. The document is a
reference for projects located within the EU, the European Economic Area and the EU candidate
countries. Besides NIB, the initiative was adopted by NEFCO, the European Investment Bank, the
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the Council of Europe Development Bank.
21
GOVERNANCE
Under the 2004 Agreement concluded among Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia,
Lithuania, Norway and Sweden on February 11, 2004 and the Statutes annexed thereto which entered
into force on January 1, 2005, NIB shall have a Board of Governors, a Board of Directors, a
President, and such other personnel as is necessary to carry out its operations.
The Board of Governors is composed of eight Governors. Each Member country is represented by
the Minister it designates as its Governor. The Board of Governors is responsible for matters
specified in the 2004 Agreement and the Statutes. The Board of Governors has basically replaced the
Nordic Council of Ministers and its functions in the previous legal framework of the Bank.
The following individuals are currently the Governors of NIB:
Governors | ||||
Denmark
|
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx | Minister for Economic and Business Affairs | ||
Estonia
|
Ivari Padar | Minister of Finance | ||
Finland
|
Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx | Minister of Public Administration and Local Government | ||
Iceland
|
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx | Minister of Finance | ||
Latvia
|
Atis Slakteris | Minister of Finance | ||
Lithuania
|
Rimantas Šadžius | Minister of Finance | ||
Norway
|
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx | Minister of Finance | ||
Sweden
|
Xxxxxx Xxxx | Minister of Finance |
With the exception of matters that fall within the authority of the Board of Governors, all of
the powers of NIB are vested in the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is composed of eight
Directors, one being appointed by each Member country, who serve for renewable terms of up to four
years and each of whom has one vote. Each Member country also appoints one alternate according to
the same principles. The chairmanship and the deputy chairmanship shall rotate among the Member
countries every two years.
The following individuals are currently the Directors and Alternate Directors of NIB:
Directors | ||||
Denmark
|
Xxxx Xxxxx | Director | ||
Estonia
|
Madis Üürike Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors |
Advisor, Ministry of Finance | ||
Finland
|
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx | Financial Counsellor, Ministry of Finance | ||
Iceland
|
Ólafur Hjálmarsson | Director General, Ministry of Finance | ||
Latvia
|
Edmunds Krastiņš | Counsellor to the Minister of Finance, Ministry of Finance | ||
Lithuania
|
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx | Undersecretary, Ministry of Finance | ||
Norway
|
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx Chairman of the Board of Directors |
Director General, City of Oslo | ||
Sweden
|
Xxxx Xxxxxxx | Former Minister of Finance |
22
Alternate Directors | ||||
Denmark
|
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx | Head of Office, Ministry of Economic and Business Affairs | ||
Estonia
|
Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx | Head of State Treasury Department, Ministry of Finance | ||
Finland
|
Risto Paaermaa | Director, The Ministry of Employment and the Economy | ||
Iceland
|
Xxx Xxxxxxxxx | Director of Finance and Administration, Ministry of Justice | ||
Latvia
|
Nikolajs Sigurds Bulmanis | Advisory Board Member, Latvian Guarantee Agency | ||
Lithuania
|
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxxx | Head of International Affairs Division of the European Union and International Affairs Department, Ministry of Finance | ||
Norway
|
Xxx Xxxxxxx | Deputy Secretary General, Ministry of Education and Research | ||
Sweden
|
Åke Törnqvist | Director, Ministry of Finance |
The business address for each of the Directors mentioned above is Xxxxxxxxxxxx 00, X.X. Xxx
000, XX-00000 Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx.
Under the Statutes, the Board of Directors may delegate its powers to the President who
participates in its meetings. The Statutes provide, however, that the President may not be a member
or an alternate of the Board of Directors. The President may be appointed by the Board of Directors
for renewable terms of not more than five years each.
The current senior management of NIB and their positions are:
Name | Position | |
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
|
President and CEO | |
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
|
First Vice-President, Head of the Lending Department | |
Lars Eibeholm
|
Vice-President, CFO and Head of the Treasury Department | |
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
|
General Counsel, Head of the Legal Department | |
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
|
Vice-President, Head of the Credit and Analysis Department | |
Juha Kotajoki
|
Vice-President, Head of Risk Management and Accounting | |
Gunnar Okk
|
Vice-President, Head of the Planning and Administration Department |
A Control Committee has the responsibility of ensuring that the operations of the Bank are
conducted in accordance with its Statutes. The Control Committee is also responsible for conducting
an audit of the Bank’s financial statements to be delivered to the Board of Governors. The Control
Committee is composed of ten members, serving renewable terms of up to two years. The Nordic
Council and the Parliaments of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania appoint one member from each Member
country. The Board of Governors appoints two members, who serve as Chairman and Deputy Chairman.
The chairmanship and the deputy chairmanship rotate among the Member countries.
The current members of the Control Committee of the Bank are:
Members of the Control Committee | ||||
Xxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxx Chairman of the Control Committee |
State Authorized Public Accountant, KPMG Endurskoðun hf., Iceland |
|||
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxxx Deputy Chairman of the Control Committee |
Director of the Finance Control Methodology Department, Ministry of Finance, Lithuania |
|||
Denmark
|
Per Kaalund | Former Member of Parliament |
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Estonia
|
Meelis Atonen | Member of Parliament | ||
Finland
|
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx | Member of Parliament | ||
Iceland
|
Xxxxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx | Member of Parliament | ||
Latvia
|
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx | Adviser to the Chairman of the Saeima | ||
Lithuania
|
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx | Former Member of Parliament, Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania | ||
Norway
|
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx | Member of Parliament | ||
Sweden
|
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx | Member of Parliament |
At December 31, 2006 the Bank had 160 employees.
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