MARKET RADAR
SENSEX     NIFTY      Refresh
Moneycontrol.com India | Accounting Policy > Banks - Private Sector > Accounting Policy followed by Axis Bank - BSE: 532215, NSE: AXISBANK
YOU ARE HERE > MONEYCONTROL > MARKETS > BANKS - PRIVATE SECTOR > ACCOUNTING POLICY - Axis Bank
Axis Bank
BSE: 532215|NSE: AXISBANK|ISIN: INE238A01026|SECTOR: Banks - Private Sector
SET ALERT
|
ADD TO PORTFOLIO
|
WATCHLIST
LIVE
BSE
Jun 19, 17:00
1285.40
-2.2 (-0.17%)
VOLUME 123,179
LIVE
NSE
Jun 19, 17:00
1285.05
-1.55 (-0.12%)
VOLUME 1,526,759
« Mar 12
Accounting Policy Year : Mar '13
1.1 Investments
 
 Classification
 
 In accordance with the RBI guidelines, investments are classified at
 the date of purchase as:
 
 - Held for Trading (''H FT'');
 
 - Available for Sale (''AFS''); and
 
 - Held to Maturity (''HTM'').
 
 Investments that are held principally for sale within a short period
 are classified as HFT securities. As per the RBI guidelines, HFT
 securities, which remain unsold for a period of 90 days are
 reclassified as AFS securities as on that date.
 
 Investments that the Bank intends to hold till maturity are classified
 under the HTM category.
 
 All other investments are classified as AFS securities.
 
 However, for disclosure in the Balance Sheet, investments in India are
 classified under six categories - Government Securities, Other approved
 securities, Shares, Debentures and Bonds, Investment in
 Subsidiaries/Joint Ventures and Others.
 
 Investments made outside India are classified under three categories -
 Government Securities, Subsidiaries and/or Joint Ventures abroad and
 Others.
 
 Transfer of security between categories
 
 Transfer of security between categories of investments is accounted as
 per the RBI guidelines.
 
 Acquisition cost
 
 Costs including brokerage, commission pertaining to investments, paid
 at the time of acquisition, are charged to the Profit and Loss Account.
 
 Broken period interest is charged to the Profit and Loss Account.
 
 Cost of investments is computed based on the weighted average cost
 method.
 
 Valuation
 
 Investments classified under the HTM category are carried at
 acquisition cost unless it is more than the face value, in which case
 the premium is amortised over the period remaining to maturity. In
 terms of RBI guidelines, discount on securities held under HTM category
 is not accrued and such securities are held at the acquisition cost
 till maturity.
 
 Investments classified under the AFS and HFT categories are marked to
 market. The market/fair value of quoted investments included in the
 ''AFS'' and ''HFT'' categories is the market price of the scrip as
 available from the trades/ quotes on the stock exchanges or prices
 declared by Primary Dealers Association of India (''PDAI'') jointly with
 Fixed Income Money Market and Derivatives Association of India
 (''FIMMDA''), periodically. Net depreciation, if any, within each
 category of each investment classification is recognised in the Profit
 and Loss Account. The net appreciation if any, under each category of
 each investment classification is ignored. The book value of individual
 securities is not changed consequent to the periodic valuation of
 investments.
 
 Treasury Bills, Exchange Funded Bills, Commercial Paper and Certificate
 of Deposits being discounted instruments, are valued at carrying cost.
 
 Units of mutual funds are valued at the latest repurchase price/net
 asset value declared by the mutual fund.
 
 Market value of investments where current quotations are not available,
 is determined as per the norms prescribed by the RBI as under:
 
 - in case of unquoted bonds, debentures and preference shares where
 interest/dividend is received regularly (i.e. not overdue beyond 90
 days), the market price is derived based on the YTM for Government
 Securities as published by FIMMDA/PDAI and suitably marked up for
 credit risk applicable to the credit rating of the instrument. The
 matrix for credit risk mark-up for each categories and credit ratings
 along with residual maturity issued by FIMMDA is adopted for this
 purpose;
 
 - in case of bonds and debentures (including Pass Through Certificates)
 where interest is not received regularly (i.e.  overdue beyond 90
 days), the valuation is in accordance with prudential norms for
 provisioning as prescribed by RBI;
 
 - equity shares, for which current quotations are not available or
 where the shares are not quoted on the stock exchanges, are valued at
 break-up value (without considering revaluation reserves, if any) which
 is ascertained from the company''s latest Balance Sheet. In case the
 latest Balance Sheet is not available, the shares are valued at Rs.1
 per company;
 
 - units of Venture Capital Funds (''VCF'') held under AFS category where
 current quotations are not available are marked to market based on the
 Net Asset Value (''NAV'') shown by VCF as per the latest audited
 financials of the fund. In case the audited financials are not
 available for a period beyond 18 months, the investments are valued at
 Rs.1 per VCF. Investment in unquoted VCF after 23 August, 2006 are
 categorised under HTM category for the initial period of three years
 and valued at cost as per RBI guidelines;
 
 - investments in Credit Linked Notes (''CLNs''), are valued based on
 current quotations where the same are available.  In the absence of
 quotes, the same are valued based on internal valuation methodology
 using appropriate mark-up and other estimates such as price of the
 underlying Foreign Currency Convertible Bond (''FCCB''), rating category
 of the CLN etc. and
 
 - security receipts are valued as per the NAV obtained from the issuing
 Reconstruction Company/Securitisation Company.
 
 Investments in subsidiaries/joint ventures are categorised as HTM and
 assessed for impairment to determine permanent diminution, if any, in
 accordance with the RBI guidelines.
 
 Realised gains on investments under the HTM category are recognised in
 the Profit and Loss Account and subsequently appropriated to Capital
 Reserve account in accordance with the RBI guidelines. Losses are
 recognised in the Profit and Loss Account.
 
 All investments are accounted for on settlement date except investments
 in equity shares which are accounted for on trade date as the corporate
 actions are effected in equity on the trade date.
 
 Repurchase and reverse repurchase transactions
 
 Repurchase and reverse repurchase transactions [excluding those
 conducted under the Liquid Adjustment Facility (''LAF'') with RBI] are
 accounted as collateralised borrowing and lending respectively. Such
 transactions done under LAF are accounted as outright sale and outright
 purchase respectively. However, depreciation in their value, if any,
 compared to their original cost, is recognised in the Profit and Loss
 Account.
 
 Policy for Short Sale
 
 In accordance with RBI guidelines, the Bank undertakes short sale
 transactions in Central Government dated securities.  The short
 positions are reflected in ''Securities Short Sold (''SSS'') A/c'',
 specifically created for this purpose. Such short positions are
 categorised under HFT category. These positions are marked-to-market
 along with the other securities under HFT portfolio and the resultant
 mark-to-market gains/losses are accounted for as per the relevant RBI
 guidelines for valuation of investments discussed earlier.
 
 1.2 Advances
 
 Advances are classified into performing and non-performing advances
 (''NPAs'') as per the RBI guidelines and are stated net of specific
 provisions made towards NPAs and floating provisions. Further, NPAs are
 classified into sub-standard, doubtful and loss assets based on the
 criteria stipulated by the RBI. Provisions for NPAs are made for
 sub-standard and doubtful assets at rates as prescribed by the RBI with
 the exception for agriculture advances and schematic retail advances.
 In respect of schematic retail advances, provisions are made in terms
 of a bucket-wise policy upon reaching specified stages of delinquency
 (90 days or more of delinquency) under each type of loan, which
 satisfies the RBI prudential norms on provisioning. Provisions in
 respect of agriculture advances classified into sub-standard and
 doubtful assets are made at rates which are higher than those
 prescribed by the RBI.
 
 In addition to the above, the Bank on a prudential basis, makes
 provision for expected losses against advances or other exposures to
 specific assets/industry/sector either on a case-by-case basis or for a
 group of assets, based on specific information or general economic
 environment. These are classified as contingent provision and included
 under Schedule 5 - Other Liabilities in the Balance Sheet.
 
 Loss assets and unsecured portion of doubtful assets are
 provided/written off as per the extant RBI guidelines. NPAs are
 identified by periodic appraisals of the loan portfolio by the
 Management.
 
 Amounts recovered against debts written off are recognised in the
 Profit and Loss account.
 
 For restructured/rescheduled assets, provision is made in accordance
 with the guidelines issued by RBI, which requires the diminution in the
 fair value of the assets to be provided at the time of restructuring.
 
 A general provision @ 0.25% in case of direct advances to agricultural
 and SME sectors, 1% in respect of advances classified as commercial
 real estate, 2% in respect of housing loans at teaser rates, 2.75%
 (previous year 2%) in respect of certain class of restructured assets
 and 0.40% for all other advances is made as prescribed by the RBI. In
 case of overseas branches, general provision on standard advances is
 maintained at the higher of the levels stipulated by the respective
 overseas regulator or RBI.
 
 Under its home loan portfolio, the Bank offers housing loans with
 certain features involving waiver of Equated Monthly Installments
 (''EMIs'') of a specific period subject to fulfilment of a set of
 conditions by the borrower. The Bank makes provision on an estimated
 basis against the probable loss that could be incurred in future on
 account of waivers to eligible borrowers in respect of such loans. This
 provision is classified under Schedule 5 - Other Liabilities in the
 Balance Sheet.
 
 1.3 Country risk
 
 In addition to the provisions required to be held according to the
 asset classification status, provisions are held for individual country
 exposure (other than for home country as per the RBI guidelines). The
 countries are categorised into seven risk categories namely
 insignificant, low, moderate, high, very high, restricted and
 off-credit and provision is made on exposures exceeding 180 days on a
 graded scale ranging from 0.25% to 100%. For exposures with contractual
 maturity of less than 180 days, 25% of the normal provision requirement
 is held. If the country exposure (net) of the Bank in respect of each
 country does not exceed 1% of the total funded assets, no provision is
 maintained on such country exposure.
 
 1.4 Securtisation
 
 The Bank enters into purchase/sale of corporate and retail loans
 through direct assignment/Special Purpose Vehicle (''SPV''). In most
 cases, post securtisation, the Bank continues to service the loans
 transferred to the assignee/SPV. The Bank also provides credit
 enhancement in the form of cash collaterals and/or by subordination of
 cash flows to Senior Pass Through Certificate (''PTC'') holders. In
 respect of credit enhancements provided or recourse obligations
 (projected delinquencies, future servicing etc.) accepted by the Bank,
 appropriate provision/disclosure is made at the time of sale in
 accordance with AS 29, Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and
 Contingent Assets as notified under the Companies (Accounting
 Standards) Rules, 2006.
 
 In accordance with RBI guidelines of 7 May 2012, on ''Guidelines on
 Securitisation of Standard Assets'', gain on securtisation transaction
 is recognised over the period of the underlying securities issued by
 the SPV as prescribed under RBI guidelines. Loss on securtisation is
 immediately debited to the Profit and Loss Account.
 
 1.5 Foreign currency transactions
 
 In respect of domestic operations, transactions denominated in foreign
 currencies are accounted for at the rates prevailing on the date of the
 transaction. Monetary foreign currency assets and liabilities are
 translated at the Balance Sheet date at rates notified by Foreign
 Exchange Dealers Association of India (''FEDAI''). All profits/losses
 resulting from year end revaluations are recognised in the Profit and
 Loss Account.
 
 Financial statements of foreign branches classified as non-integral
 foreign operations are translated as follows:
 
 - Assets and liabilities (both monetary and non-monetary as well as
 contingent liabilities) are translated at closing rates notified by
 FEDAI at the year end.
 
 - Income and expenses are translated at the rates prevailing on the
 date of the transactions.
 
 - All resulting exchange differences are accumulated in a separate
 ''Foreign Currency Translation Reserve'' till the disposal of the net
 investments.
 
 Outstanding forward exchange contracts (excluding currency swaps
 undertaken to hedge foreign currency assets/ liabilities and funding
 swaps which are not revalued) and spot exchange contracts are revalued
 at year end exchange rates notified by FEDAI for specified maturities
 and at interpolated rates for contract of interim maturities. The
 resulting gains or losses on revaluation are included in the Profit and
 Loss Account in accordance with RBI/FEDAI guidelines. The forward
 exchange contracts of longer maturities where exchange rates are not
 notified by FEDAI are revalued at the forward exchange rates implied by
 the swap curves in respective currencies. The resultant gains or losses
 are recognised in the Profit and Loss Account.
 
 Premium/discount on currency swaps undertaken to hedge foreign currency
 assets and liabilities and funding swaps is recognised as interest
 income/expense and is amortised on a pro-rata basis over the underlying
 swap period.
 
 Contingent liabilities on account of foreign exchange
 contracts/options, guarantees, acceptances, endorsements and other
 obligations denominated in foreign currencies are disclosed at closing
 rates of exchange notified by FEDAI.
 
 1.6 Derivative transactions
 
 Derivative transactions comprise of forward contracts, swaps and
 options which are disclosed as contingent liabilities.  The forwards,
 swaps and options are categorised as trading or hedge transactions.
 Trading derivative contracts are revalued at the Balance Sheet date
 with the resulting unrealised gain or loss being recognised in the
 Profit and Loss Account and correspondingly in other assets or other
 liabilities respectively. For hedge transactions, the Bank identifies
 the hedged item (asset or liability) at the inception of transaction
 itself. The effectiveness is ascertained at the time of inception of
 the hedge and periodically thereafter. Hedge swaps are accounted for on
 accrual basis except in case of swaps designated with an asset or
 liability that is carried at market value or lower of cost or market
 value in the financial statements. In such cases the swaps are marked
 to market with the resulting gain or loss recorded as an adjustment to
 the market value of designated asset or liability. The premium on
 option contracts is accounted for as per FEDAI guidelines. Pursuant to
 the RBI guidelines any receivables under derivative contracts
 comprising of crystallised receivables as well as positive Mark to
 Market (MTM) in respect of future receivables which remain overdue for
 more than 90 days are reversed through the Profit and Loss account and
 are held in separate Suspense account.
 
 Currency futures contracts are marked to market using daily settlement
 price on a trading day, which is the closing price of the respective
 futures contracts on that day. While the daily settlement price is
 computed based on the last half an hour weighted average price of such
 contract, the final settlement price is taken as the RBI reference rate
 on the last trading day of the futures contract or as may be specified
 by the relevant authority from time to time. All open positions are
 marked to market based on the settlement price and the resultant marked
 to market profit/loss is daily settled with the exchange.
 
 Valuation of Exchange Traded Currency Options (ETCO) is carried out on
 the basis of the daily settlement price of each individual option
 provided by the exchange.
 
 1.7 Revenue recognition
 
 Interest income is recognised on an accrual basis except interest
 income on non-performing assets, which is recognised on receipt in
 accordance with AS-9, Revenue Recognition as notified under the
 Companies (Accounting Standards) Rules, 2006 and the RBI guidelines.
 
 Fees and commission income is recognised when due, except for guarantee
 commission which is recognised pro-rata over the period of the
 guarantee.
 
 Arrangership/syndication fee is accounted for on completion of the
 agreed service and when right to receive is established.
 
 Dividend is accounted on an accrual basis when the right to receive the
 dividend is established.
 
 Gain/loss on sell down of loans and advances through direct assignment
 is recognised at the time of sale.
 
 Gain or loss arising on sale of NPAs is accounted as per the guidelines
 prescribed by the RBI, which require provisions to be made for any
 deficit (where sale price is lower than the net book value), while
 surplus (where sale price is higher than the net book value) is
 ignored.
 
 1.8 Fixed assets and depreciation
 
 Fixed assets are carried at cost of acquisition less accumulated
 depreciation and impairment, if any. Cost includes freight, duties,
 taxes and incidental expenses related to the acquisition and
 installation of the asset.
 
 Capital work-in-progress includes cost of fixed assets that are not
 ready for their intended use and also includes advances paid to acquire
 fixed assets.
 
 Depreciation is provided on the straight-line method from the date of
 addition. The rates of depreciation prescribed in Schedule XIV to the
 Companies Act, 1956 are considered as the minimum rates. If the
 Management''s estimate of the useful life of a fixed asset at the time
 of acquisition of the asset or of the remaining useful life on a
 subsequent review is shorter, then depreciation is provided at a higher
 rate based on the Management''s estimate of the useful life/remaining
 useful life. Pursuant to this policy, depreciation has been provided
 using the following estimated useful lives:
 
 All fixed assets individually costing less than Rs.5,000 are fully
 depreciated in the year of installation.
 
 Depreciation on assets sold during the year is recognised on a pro-rata
 basis to the Profit and Loss Account till the date of sale.
 
 The carrying amounts of assets are reviewed at each Balance Sheet date
 to ascertain if there is any indication of impairment based on
 internal/external factors. An impairment loss is recognised wherever
 the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its recoverable amount. The
 recoverable amount is the greater of the asset''s net selling price and
 value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash
 flows are discounted to their present value at the weighted average
 cost of capital. After impairment, depreciation is provided on the
 revised carrying amount of the asset over its remaining useful life.
 
 Profit on sale of premises is appropriated to Capital Reserve Account
 in accordance with RBI instructions.
 
 1.9 Lease transactions
 
 Assets given on operating lease are capitalised at cost. Rentals
 received by the Bank are recognised in the Profit and Loss Account on
 accrual basis.
 
 Leases where the lessor effectively retains substantially all the risks
 and benefits of ownership over the lease term are classified as
 operating lease. Lease payments for assets taken on operating lease are
 recognised as an expense in the Profit and Loss Account on a
 straight-line basis over the lease term.
 
 1.10 Retirement and other employee benefits Provident Fund
 
 Retirement benefit in the form of provident fund is a defined benefit
 plan wherein the contributions are charged to the Profit and Loss
 Account of the year when the contributions to the fund are due.
 Further, an actuarial valuation is conducted by an independent actuary
 to determine the deficiency, if any, in the interest payable on the
 contributions as compared to the interest liability as per the
 statutory rate.
 
 Gratuity
 
 The Bank contributes towards gratuity fund (defined benefit retirement
 plan) administered by various insurers for eligible employees. Under
 this scheme, the settlement obligations remain with the Bank, although
 various insurers administer the scheme and determine the contribution
 premium required to be paid by the Bank. The plan provides a lump sum
 payment to vested employees at retirement or termination of employment
 based on the respective employee''s salary and the years of employment
 with the Bank. Liability with regard to gratuity fund is accrued based
 on actuarial valuation conducted by an independent actuary using the
 Projected Unit Credit Method as at 31 March each year. In respect of
 employees at overseas branches (other than expats) liability with
 regard to gratuity is provided on the basis of a prescribed method as
 per local laws, wherever applicable.
 
 Leave Encashment
 
 Short term compensated absences are provided for based on estimates.
 The Bank provides leave encashment benefit (long term), which is a
 defined benefit scheme based on actuarial valuation conducted by an
 independent actuary. The actuarial valuation is carried out as per the
 Projected Unit Credit Method as at 31 March each year.
 
 Superannuation
 
 Employees of the Bank are entitled to receive retirement benefits under
 the Bank''s Superannuation scheme either under a cash-out option through
 salary or under a defined contribution plan. Through the defined
 contribution plan, the Bank contributes annually a specified sum of 10%
 of the employee''s eligible annual basic salary to LIC, which undertakes
 to pay the lumpsum and annuity benefit payments pursuant to the scheme.
 Superannuation contributions are recognised in the Profit and Loss
 Account in the period in which they accrue.
 
 Actuarial gains/losses are immediately taken to the Profit and Loss
 Account and are not deferred.
 
 1.11 Debit/Credit card reward points
 
 The Bank estimates the probable redemption of debit and credit card
 reward points using an actuarial method at the Balance Sheet date by
 employing an independent actuary. Provision for the said reward points
 is then made based on the actuarial valuation report as furnished by
 the said independent actuary.
 
 1.12 Taxation
 
 Income tax expense is the aggregate amount of current tax and deferred
 tax charge. Current year taxes are determined in accordance with the
 Income tax Act, 1961. Deferred income taxes reflects the impact of
 current year timing differences between taxable income and accounting
 income for the year and reversal of timing differences of earlier
 years.
 
 Deferred tax is measured based on the tax rates and the tax laws
 enacted or substantively enacted at the Balance Sheet date. Deferred
 tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are offset, if a legally
 enforceable right exists to set off current tax assets against current
 tax liabilities and the deferred tax assets and deferred tax
 liabilities relate to the taxes on income levied by same governing
 taxation laws.
 
 Deferred tax assets are recognised only to the extent that there is
 reasonable certainty that sufficient future taxable income will be
 available against which such deferred tax assets can be realised. The
 impact of changes in the deferred tax assets and liabilities is
 recognised in the Profit and Loss Account.
 
 Deferred tax assets are recognised and reassessed at each reporting
 date, based upon the Management''s judgement as to whether realisation
 is considered as reasonably certain. Deferred tax assets are recognised
 on carry forward of unabsorbed depreciation and tax losses only if
 there is virtual certainty that such deferred tax asset can be realised
 against future profits.
 
 1.13 Share issue expenses
 
 Share issue expenses are adjusted from Share Premium Account in terms
 of Section 78 of the Companies Act, 1956.
 
 1.14 Earnings per share
 
 The Bank reports basic and diluted earnings per share in accordance
 with AS-20, Earnings per Share, as notified by the Companies
 (Accounting Standards) Rules, 2006. Basic earnings per share is
 computed by dividing the net profit after tax by the weighted average
 number of equity shares outstanding for the year.
 
 Diluted earnings per share reflect the potential dilution that could
 occur if securities or other contracts to issue equity shares were
 exercised or converted during the year. Diluted earnings per share is
 computed using the weighted average number of equity shares and
 dilutive potential equity shares outstanding at the year end.
 
 1.15 Employee stock option scheme
 
 The 2001 Employee Stock Option Scheme (''the Scheme'') provides for grant
 of stock options on equity shares of the Bank to employees and
 Directors of the Bank and its subsidiaries. The Scheme is in accordance
 with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) (Employees Stock
 Option Scheme and Employee Stock Purchase Scheme) Guidelines, 1999. The
 Bank follows the intrinsic value method to account for its stock based
 employee compensation plans as per the Guidance Note on ''Accounting for
 Employee Share-based Payments'' issued by the ICAI. Options are granted
 at an exercise price, which is equal to/less than the fair market price
 of the underlying equity shares. The excess of such fair market price
 over the exercise price of the options as at the grant date is
 recognised as a deferred compensation cost and amortised on a
 straight-line basis over the vesting period of such options.
 
 The fair market price is the latest available closing price, prior to
 the date of grant, on the stock exchange on which the shares of the
 Bank are listed. If the shares are listed on more than one stock
 exchange, then the stock exchange where there is highest trading volume
 on the said date is considered.
 
 1.16 Provisions, contingent liabilities and contingent assets
 
 A provision is recognised when the Bank has a present obligation as a
 result of past event where it is probable that an outflow of resources
 will be required to settle the obligation, in respect of which a
 reliable estimate can be made.  Provisions are not discounted to its
 present value and are determined based on best estimate required to
 settle the obligation at the Balance Sheet date. These are reviewed at
 each Balance Sheet date and adjusted to reflect the current best
 estimates.
 
 A disclosure of contingent liability is made when there is:
 
 - a possible obligation arising from a past event, the existence of
 which will be confirmed by occurrence or non occurrence of one or more
 uncertain future events not within the control of the Bank; or
 
 - a present obligation arising from a past event which is not
 recognised as it is not probable that an outflow of resources will be
 required to settle the obligation or a reliable estimate of the amount
 of the obligation cannot be made.
 
 When there is a possible obligation or a present obligation in respect
 of which the likelihood of outflow of resources is remote, no provision
 or disclosure is made.
 
 Contingent assets are not recognised in the financial statements.
 However, contingent assets are assessed continually and if it is
 virtually certain that an inflow of economic benefits will arise, the
 asset and related income are recognised in the period in which the
 change occurs.
Source : Dion Global Solutions Limited
Quick Links for axisbank
Explore Moneycontrol
Stocks     A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | Others
Mutual Funds     A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
Copyright © e-Eighteen.com Ltd. All rights reserved. Reproduction of news articles, photos, videos or any other content in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of moneycontrol.com is prohibited.