Investment portfolio highlights – part of investment snapshot section kjsdvlksdfakkjjgfsljsdfgljk FL GROUP ANNUAL REPORT 2007 Annual Report 2007 0 1 Highlights of the year Market turmoil The value of listed holdings decreased significantly during the second half of the year when very difficult market conditions prevailed, eliminating value increases that had accumulated during the first half of the year, and resulting in net loss after tax of ISK 67 billion in 2007. Acquisition of TM A large majority of shares in Tryggingamidstodin (TM), an Icelandic insurance company, were acquired in 2007. The acquisition was largely funded with an increase in equity. TM was consolidated into the Group's accounts as of 1 October 2007. Private equity activity The company continued to build up its private equity operations. Highlights of the year include acquisition of shares in Landic Property and other property companies towards the end of the year, as well as the approach to Inspired Gaming Group, subsequently withdrawn. Portfolio restructuring The company has undertaken a thoughtful restructuring process within its investment portfolio. Non-core assets have been sold with exposure to aviation significantly reduced. In total the market exposure of the company was reduced by more than ISK 100 billion. Increased assets Total assets increased to ISK 422 billion at the end of 2007 from ISK 263 billion at the end of 2006, representing a 60.7% increase. Strong financial position Total shareholders' equity was ISK 155.8 billion at the end of 2007, an increase of ISK 13.2 billion since the end of 2006. Financial position and liquidity remain strong, with an equity ratio at the end of 2007 of 36.9% and direct liquidity of ISK 28.6 billion. Healthy maturity profile At the time of publishing the annual results, 85% of borrowings maturing in 2008 had been refinanced, with only ISK 8.5 billion remaining. Operation streamlined Following the change in top management, FL Group has taken steps to streamline the company's operations and reduce operating expenses significantly. The closure of the Copenhagen office was the first step towards this goal. Annual Report 2007 0 2 Investment portfolio highlights Glitnir Bank FL Group is the largest shareholder in Glitnir Bank with a 32% shareholding. During the last two years, FL Group has helped to develop and implement the bank’s strategy The bank had a decent year where net income increased by 17.2% from the previous year and core income continued to increase Changes in top management during the year, including Larus Welding's appointment as CEO, represent an important step towards future growth In 2007 FL Group was approved as a qualified holder of up to 33% of shares in Glitnir Bank Index Introduction Highlights of the Year 2 Investment Portfolio Highlights 3-4 Index 5 Statements 1.1 Chairman's Statement 9-10 1.2 CEO's Statement 11-13 Investment Overview 2.1 Investment Strategy 17 2.2 Portfolio Snapshot Glitnir Bank 19 Tryggingamidstodin (TM) 23 Landic Property 27 Other Investments 30 Company Overview 3.1 Organisation and Operations 35 3.2 Corporate Governance 36 3.3 Corporate Social Responsibility 40 3.4 Our Team 48 Financial Information 4.1 Financial Summary 55 4.2 Risk Management 60 4.3 Share Information 62 4.4 Shareholder Information 64 4.5 Financial Accounts 2007 65 FL Group hf. FL Group UK Ltd. Id. 601273-0129 77 Grosvenor Street Sidumuli 24 London IS-108 Reykjavik, Iceland W1K 3JR Tel: +354 591 4400 Tel: +44 20 7518 8090 [email protected] www.flgroup.is FL Group Annual Report 2007 Published in March 2008 Editor: Julius Thorfinnsson, Corporate Communications Layout and design: Hvita Husid Printing: Prentmet Annual Report 2007 005 006 Annual Report 2007 INSTITUTION OF SPINAL CORD INJURY FL Group is the main sponsor and co-founder of the THE INSTITUTIONInstitution OF of Spinal Cord Injury, Iceland. ISCI was SPINAL CORD INJURY,initiated byICELAND Audur Gudjonsdottir who has for almost 20 years fought a global battle for the cause of those who have suffered spinal cord injury. "FL Group played a major role in the establishment of the Institution It is an honor and joy to be able to support Auður's of Spinal Cord Injury, Iceland and the company's continued support pioneering work. She is an inspiration to us all. and active involvement enables us to pursue our goal of encouraging worldwide advances in the treatment of spinal cord injury." Audur Gudjonsdottir, Executive Director of the Institution of Spinal Cord Injury, Iceland Annual Report 2007 007 1.1 Chairman’s Statement Flexible and focused In my first statement as the Chairman of the Board of FL Group, I am pleased to report that the Group has emerged in a positive position after what proved to be a very tough year. Despite the sudden and precipitous decline in global stock markets, FL Group succeeded in raising a substantial amount of new funding, forming a number of strategically important alliances, streamlining its investment portfolio to make it better aligned with the Group’s investment profile, implementing an ongoing cost reduction programme and carrying out comprehensive internal restructuring. Whilst 2007 was an extremely difficult year, FL Group has addressed the challenges it posed and is well positioned as we enter 2008, with a solid balance sheet and a more focused investment approach. The success of the private placement at the end of 2007 is a clear sign of investors’ confidence in FL Group and its strategy. Our investment portfolio is well balanced across our three core assets - banking, insurance and property - and our fundamentals remain strong. The big picture 2007 developments The turbulence in the markets has had a significant Despite a very demanding second half of 2007, FL Group impact on many sectors. Responding swiftly and has entered 2008 with a clear objective to consolidate decisively, FL Group has undertaken a review of every progress in its core business areas. As a result of its aspect of its operations and continues to scrutinise restructuring efforts and management expertise, the cost and streamline operations to minimise potential company has built a solid platform for future growth. problems arising from market uncertainty. Although a number of key investments underperformed The company’s investment strategy is now more sharply during 2007, FL Group has seen respectable earnings focused on the financial, insurance and property from its portfolio companies, both listed and unlisted, sectors, which all offer attractive long-term prospects in 2007. for FL Group’s overall performance. Part of the restructuring we undertook last year was FL Group remains an active investor and seeks to work designed to mitigate risk and as a result we have closely with the management of its portfolio companies, diversified and increased our private equity investments, helping them devise and implement the strategy that notably in the property sector. These investments would best suit their vision for the company while present an excellent opportunity as they deliver the right supporting them in building partnerships and alliances balance of strong cash flows and growth opportunities in the market. while possessing significant upside potential and the possibility of a range of interesting projects down the line. Annual Report 2007 009 1.1 Chairman’s Statement Investor confidence Looking ahead FL Group has demonstrated that it is prepared to do what The result of the recent changes at FL Group is a sharper is needed and, where necessary, it will make difficult investment focus, more streamlined portfolio, stronger decisions – and our investors have supported this balance sheet and an organisation that is flexible and approach. In our recent institutional share placement better able to react quickly to change. All this puts (December 2007), we successfully raised ISK15bn in the FL Group in a good position to take advantage of the Icelandic market. investment opportunities ahead. The past year has demonstrated that the company is willing to consolidate Furthermore, new shares were issued to Baugur Group a long-term strategy for success in the context of a in return for its entire property portfolio in a deal that difficult short-term period. FL Group has a talented saw Baugur emerge as FL Group’s largest shareholder. team that is able to take decisions quickly and execute Together the private placement and the new shares them effectively. issued to Baugur increased FL Group's share capital by 49 per cent. We have an exciting year ahead of us. With our clear sense of direction, supportive shareholders, strong Strong leadership funding and enhanced liquidity, I believe we are well on track to deliver the growth and value creation In addition to restructuring the group, reviewing its appropriate for a leading investment company. investment policy and streamlining the portfolio, FL Group also made important changes to its Board and management team. Jon Asgeir Johannesson Jon Sigurdsson replaced Hannes Smarason in December 2007 as our new CEO. I have great faith in Jon and Chairman of the Board, FL Group believe that he has the leadership skills, commitment and experience to take FL Group forward. As a veteran of FL Group, I also believe that he represents an excellent fit with the rest of the team. After three years as the CEO, Hannes Smarason stepped down from day-to-day management but is retaining his connections to FL Group through his role as a member of the Board of Directors and one of the leading shareholder. Our thanks go to Hannes and to Skarphedinn Berg Steinarsson, our outgoing Chairman, for their invaluable contributions. 010 Annual Report 2007 1.2 CEO’s Statement Building a stronger business The volatility of recent months impacted our results for 2007.