Risks and opportunities relating to the Financial
Services segment
The categories of risk relating to the provision of financial
services are credit and counterparty risk, residual
value risk, interest rate risk, liquidity risk and operational
risk. In order to identify, measure, manage and
monitor these risks, a variety of internal methods has
been developed based on regulatory environment requirements
(such as Basel III) and which comply with
both national and international standards. The adopted
risk strategy, in combination with a set of strategic principles
and rules derived from regulatory requirements,
serve as the basis for risk management within the Financial
Services segment. At the heart of the risk management
process is a clear division between front- and
back-office activities and a comprehensive internal control
system. The key risk management tool employed
within the Financial Services segment is aimed at ensuring
that the Group’s risk-bearing capacity is not exceeded.
In this context, all risks (defined as “unexpected
losses”) must be covered at all times by an appropriate
asset cushion in the form of equity capital. Unexpected
losses are measured using a variety of value-at-risk techniques
that have been developed for each risk category.
The appropriateness of these techniques is tested at regular
intervals. Risks are aggregated after taking account
of correlation effects. The total amount of risks calculated
in this way is then compared with the so-called “risk
coverage amount”, i.e. the resources allocated to cover
risks. The risk coverage amount is determined on the
basis of the Financial Services segment’s willingness to
take risks. The segment’s risk-bearing capacity is monitored
continuously with the aid of an integrated limit
system that also differentiates between the various risk
categories. The segment’s total risk exposure was covered
at all times during the past year by the available riskcoverage
volumes.