ING Direct 2009 Annual Report Download - page 109

Goodwill is only capitalised on acquisitions after the implementation date of IFRS-EU (1 January 2004). Accounting for acquisitions before
that date has not been restated; goodwill and internally generated intangibles on these acquisitions were charged directly to shareholders’
equity. Goodwill is allocated to reporting units for the purpose of impairment testing. These reporting units represent the lowest level at
which goodwill is monitored for internal management purposes. This test is performed annually or more frequently if there are indicators
of impairment. Under the impairment tests, the carrying value of the reporting units (including goodwill) is compared to its recoverable
amount which is the higher of its fair value less costs to sell and its value in use.
Adjustments to the fair value as at the date of acquisition of acquired assets and liabilities that are identified within one year after
acquisition are recognised as an adjustment to goodwill; any subsequent adjustment is recognised as income or expense. However,
recognition of deferred tax assets after the acquisition date is recognised as an adjustment to goodwill, even after the first year. On
disposal of group companies, the difference between the sale proceeds and book value (including goodwill) and the unrealised results
(including the currency translation reserve in equity) is included in the profit and loss account.
Computer software
Computer software that has been purchased or generated internally for own use is stated at cost less amortisation and any impairment
losses. Amortisation is calculated on a straight-line basis over its useful life. This period will generally not exceed three years. Amortisation
is included in Other operating expenses.
Value of business acquired (VOBA)
VOBA is an asset that reflects the present value of estimated net cash flows embedded in the insurance contracts of an acquired company,
which existed at the time the company was acquired. It represents the difference between the fair value of insurance liabilities and their
book value. VOBA is amortised in a similar manner to the amortisation of deferred acquisition costs as described in the section ‘Deferred
acquisition costs’.
Other intangible assets
Other intangible assets are capitalised and amortised over their expected economic life, which is generally between three and ten years.
Intangible assets with an indefinite life are not amortised.
DEFERRED ACQUISITION COSTS
Deferred acquisition costs (DAC) are an asset and represent costs of acquiring insurance and investment contracts that are deferred and
amortised. The deferred costs, all of which vary with (and are primarily related to) the production of new and renewal business, consist
principally of commissions, certain underwriting and contract issuance expenses, and certain agency expenses.
For traditional life insurance contracts, certain types of flexible life insurance contracts, and non-life contracts, DAC is amortised over the
premium payment period in proportion to the premium revenue recognised.
For other types of flexible life insurance contracts DAC is amortised over the lives of the policies in relation to the emergence of estimated
gross profits. Amortisation is adjusted when estimates of current or future gross profits, to be realised from a group of products, are
revised. The estimates and the assumptions are reassessed at the end of each reporting period. For DAC on flexible insurance contracts the
approach is that in determining the estimate of future gross profits ING Group assumes the short-term and long-term separate account
growth rate assumption to be the same. Higher/lower expected profits (e.g. reflecting stock market performance or a change in the level
of assets under management) may cause a lower/higher balance of DAC due to the catch-up of amortisation in previous and future years.
This process is known as DAC unlocking. The impact of the DAC unlocking is recognised in the profit and loss account of the period in
which the unlocking occurs.
DAC is evaluated for recoverability at issue. Subsequently it is tested on a regular basis together with the provision for life insurance
liabilities and VOBA. The test for recoverability is described in the section ‘Insurance, Investment and Reinsurance Contracts’.
For certain products DAC is adjusted for the impact of unrealised results on allocated investments through equity.
TAXATION
Income tax on the net result for the year comprises current and deferred tax. Income tax is recognised in the profit and loss account but it
is charged or credited directly to equity if the tax relates to items that are credited or charged directly to equity.
Deferred income tax
Deferred income tax is provided in full, using the liability method, on temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets and
liabilities and their carrying amounts in the consolidated financial statements. Deferred income tax is determined using tax rates (and laws)
that have been enacted or substantially enacted by the balance sheet date and are expected to apply when the related deferred income
tax asset is realised or the deferred income tax liability is settled. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are not discounted.
2.1 Consolidated annual accounts
ING Group Annual Report 2009 107
Accounting policies for the consolidated balance sheet and profit and loss account of ING Group (continued)