Financial assets designated as at fair value through income at inception are those that are either:
• held to match insurance and investment contracts liabilities that are linked to the changes in fair value of these assets. The designation of these assets to be at fair value through income eliminates or significantly reduces a measurement or recognition inconsistency (sometimes referred to as 'an accounting mismatch') that would otherwise arise from measuring assets or liabilities or recognising the gains and losses on them on different bases: or
• managed and whose performance is evaluated on a fair value basis. Information about these financial assets is provided internally on a fair value basis to the Company's key management personnel. The Company's investment strategy is to invest in equity and debt securities, and collective investment schemes that invest in such securities, and to evaluate them with reference to their fair values. Assets that are part of these portfolios are designated upon initial recognition at fair value through income.
Gains or losses arising from changes in the fair value of the 'financial assets at fair value through income' category are presented in the statement of comprehensive income within net fair value gains on financial assets at fair value through income in the period in which they arise.
2.6.2 Loans and receivables
Loans and receivables are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market other than those that the Company intends to sell in the short term or that it has designated as at fair value through income or available for sale.
Loans and receivables are recognised initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less provision for impairment. A provision for impairment of loans and receivables is established when there is objective evidence that the Company will not be able to collect all amounts due according to their original terms (see Note 2.7 for the accounting policy on impairment).
Receivables arising from insurance contracts are also classified in this category and are reviewed for impairment as part of the impairment review of loans and receivables.
2.6.3 Available-for-sale financial assets
Available-for-sale financial assets are non-derivative financial assets that are either designated in this category or not classified in any of the other categories.
2.6.4 Recognition and measurement
Regular way purchases and sales of investments are recognised on trade date, the date on which the Company commits to purchase or sell the asset. Financial assets are initially recognised at fair value plus, in the case of all financial assets not carried at fair value through income, transaction costs that are directly attributable to their acquisition. Financial assets carried at fair value through income are initially recognised at fair value, and transaction costs are expensed in the statement of comprehensive income.
Financial assets are derecognised when the rights to receive cash flows from the investments have expired or where they have been transferred and the Company has also transferred substantially all risks and rewards of ownership.
Available-for-sale financial assets and financial assets at fair value through income are subsequently carried at fair value. Loans and receivables and held-to-maturity financial assets are carried at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method.
Gains and losses arising from changes in the fair value of the 'financial assets at fair value through income' category are included in the statement of comprehensive income in the period in which they arise. Dividend income from financial assets at fair value through income is recognised in the statement of comprehensive income as part of other income when the group's right to receive payments is established.