25. Subordinated liabilities

In July 2013, UNIQA Insurance Group AG successfully placed a bond to the value of €350 million with institutional investors in Europe. The bond has a maturity period of 30 years and cannot be terminated until after 10 years. The coupon equals 6.875 per cent per annum during the first ten years, after which a variable interest rate applies. The supplementary capital bond satisfies the requirements for equity netting as  2 capital under the  II regime. The issue was also aimed at replacing older bonds from Austrian insurance groups and at bolstering UNIQA’s capital resources and capital structure in preparation for and optimising these over the long term. The supplementary capital bond has been listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange since the end of July 2013. The issue price was set at 100 per cent.

In July 2015, UNIQA Insurance Group AG successfully placed a subordinated capital bond (Tier 2) to the value of €500 million with institutional investors in Europe. The bond is eligible for netting as  2 capital under  II. The bond is scheduled for repayment after a period of 31 years and subject to certain conditions, and can only be cancelled by UNIQA after eleven years have elapsed and under certain conditions. The coupon equals 6.00 per cent per annum during the first eleven years, after which a variable interest rate applies. The bond has been listed on the Vienna Stock Exchange since July 2015. The issue price was set at 100 per cent.

In July 2020 a subordinated bond was also issued in the amount of €200 million at an issue price of 99.507 per cent of the nominal amount. With a term of 15.25 years, it may be terminated for the first time after 5.25 years subject to certain conditions. The annual interest rate is fixed at 3.25 per cent for the first 5.25 years, after which a variable interest rate applies. The bond is eligible for netting as Tier 2 capital under Solvency II. By issuing a green bond, UNIQA has committed to finance or refinance suitable assets in accordance with the Green Bond Framework at the same level as the issue proceeds. The bond issue has been listed on the Vienna Stock Exchange since July 2020.

UNIQA repurchased subordinated bonds with a total nominal value of €375 million in December 2021. The buy-back relates to €201.3 million subordinated bonds placed in 2013 and €173.7 million subordinated bonds placed in 2015. At the same time, a new subordinated bond with a nominal amount of €375 million was placed. This bond is scheduled for repayment after a period of 20 years, is subject to certain conditions, and can only be cancelled by UNIQA after ten years have elapsed and under certain conditions. During the first ten years, the interest rate is fixed at 2.375 per cent per annum, after which a variable interest rate applies. The issue price was set at 99.316 per cent of the nominal amount. The subordinated bond is eligible as Tier 2 basic own funds in accordance with the regulatory requirements. By issuing a green bond, UNIQA has committed to making investments in accordance with the Green Bond Framework at the same level as the issue proceeds. The buy-back premium associated with the buy-back amounts to approximately €65 million and was recognised in the finance costs.

Supplementary capital
Paid-in capital that is provided to the insurance company for a minimum of five years with a waiver of the right to cancel under the relevant agreement, and for which interest may only be paid provided that this is covered by the annual net profit.
Tiers
Classification of the basic own fund components into Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 capital using the own funds list in accordance with the criteria specified in the EU implementing regulation. If a component of basic own funds is not included in the list, an entity must carry out its own assessment and decide on a classification.
Solvency
An insurance company’s equity base.
Supplementary capital
Paid-in capital that is provided to the insurance company for a minimum of five years with a waiver of the right to cancel under the relevant agreement, and for which interest may only be paid provided that this is covered by the annual net profit.
Solvency II
European Union Directive on publication obligations and solvency rules for the equity base of an insurance company.
Tiers
Classification of the basic own fund components into Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 capital using the own funds list in accordance with the criteria specified in the EU implementing regulation. If a component of basic own funds is not included in the list, an entity must carry out its own assessment and decide on a classification.
Solvency
An insurance company’s equity base.