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How is consumer credit market regulation relevant to Reykjavik Energy's actual debt load ("carrying amounts") or liquidity position ( "capitalized finance costs")?

See p17, forward currency swaps and foreign exchange difference

Diversity is the key to economic and political evolution.

by Cat on Sat Jun 19th, 2010 at 10:02:27 AM EST
[ Parent ]
How is consumer credit market regulation relevant to Reykjavik Energy's actual debt load...

Perhaps the idea is to give consumers relief and, by so doing, to drive home the idea that similar or related action with respect to Reykjavik Energy would be in the interest of all Icelanders.

As the Dutch said while fighting the Spanish: "It is not necessary to have hope in order to persevere."
by ARGeezer (ARGeezer a in a circle eurotrib daught com) on Sat Jun 19th, 2010 at 12:17:36 PM EST
[ Parent ]
...not a perfect world, one's government works to provide constituents essential services at the lowest cost simply because that's possible. Note, in the linked PR, one campaign promise that residents expect the coalition to fulfill is deeper discount of Reykjavik Energy services --power, water, sewer, ICT-- for low-income HHs.

Terms of interest-bearing loans and borrowings, 1.1 - 3.31, 2010 (p23)

Liabilities in foreign currencies (000s) Maturity Avg rate (%) Carrying Amt
CHF 2036 0.68 41.374.276
EUR 2032 1.21 79.251.840
USD 2030 0.88 49.790.476
JPY 2036 0.60 21.577.367
GBP 2036 1.58 7.7839.928
SEK 2027 0.71 14.186.483
      213.964.370
Liabilities in ISK (000s)      
Indexed 2037 4.97 22.071.506
Non-indexed 2010 11.45 1.271.303
      23.342.810

10% of Reykjavik Energy debt is denominated in ISK, of which 94% is FX-adjustable rate. I'd be guessing, that 22 super-size paid for island CRE craters, say, 2004-2008. Or vig, depending. In any event, it would be difficult even for the best comedian to squeeze a bathos from this pimple on corporate privileges which the city manager and shareholder-ratepayers (cf "guarantee fee to owners") have enjoyed. Depends. I'd want to know how much retail rates fluctuated 2008 to the present and what proportion was attributed to uh capital expenses.

Diversity is the key to economic and political evolution.

by Cat on Sun Jun 20th, 2010 at 01:33:47 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Making debts indexed to foreign currencies unenforceable against consumers is not a million miles away from making all debts indexed to foreign currencies unenforceable, for instance the city's forward currency swaps.

By laying out pros and cons we risk inducing people to join the debate, and losing control of a process that only we fully understand. - Alan Greenspan
by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Sat Jun 19th, 2010 at 01:33:54 PM EST
[ Parent ]
This gambit is irrelevant to Reykjavik Energy capital strategy and core business, municipal-owned utility (MOU). Let's not forget, the court decision is largely intended to restructure certain consumer ISK borrowing resulting from ISK devaluation (2008) relative to the indexed currencies. In light of sauce-pan-rage, so go scheisters and the too clever, FX-adjustable rate loans they rode in on.

At that time, the ICB modified currency custody controls but not FX controls. Something like 70% corporate borrowing was and remains issued and settled in foreign currency. Let us note here, the infrastructure Reykjavik Energy is constructing will supply an Alcoa plant. Trade will be denominated in USD not EUR. Some pertinent if dated consideration, apart from Reykjavik Energy's book: Rules on foreign exchange - Central Bank of Iceland - 15 Dec 2008

Article 4
Borrowing and lending between domestic and foreign parties for purposes other than cross-border transactions with goods and services shall meet the following requirements:

  1. Each party's loan shall not exceed 10,000,000 kr., or the equivalent of that amount in foreign currency, per calendar year.
  2. The loan period shall be at least one year.
  3. Capital transfers for the loan shall be in accordance with the provisions of Article 9 of these Rules [Article 9. Obligation to submit foreign currency].
  4. Loan agreements, including all appendices and accompanying documents, shall be sent to the financial undertaking that carries out the movement of capital within one week of signing.
The provisions of this Article do not apply to borrowing and lending between undertakings within a conglomerate [transfer pricing between units anywhere in the world]....

Article 6
It is prohibited to transact derivatives contracts involving the Icelandic króna against a foreign currency, whether these are contracts involving currencies, securities, or a combination of currencies and securities, or other comparable financial instruments. Derivatives transactions related solely to trade with goods and services do not fall under this provision.

Article 8
Interest, indexation, dividends, capital gains, and contractual instalment payments are not considered movement of capital in the sense of these Rules. Wages are not considered movement of capital in the sense of these Rules. Cross-border prepayment of financial instruments is prohibited, however.

Article 14
The provisions of these Rules do not apply to movement of capital or foreign exchange transactions undertaken by the Central Bank of Iceland. The Rules do not apply to:

1. The Treasury and companies in which the Treasury owns a majority holding, and which operate according to special legislation.
2. Municipalities and companies in which municipalities own a majority holding, and which operate according to special legislation.

  1. Companies that are parties to investment agreements with the Government of Iceland, which agreements have been assigned legal validity or are concluded on the basis of special statutory authorisations.
  2. Companies that have been granted permission by the Minister of Industry to search for oil according to Act no. 13/2001.
  3. Resolution committees that have been appointed on the basis of Article 100a of the Act on Financial Undertakings.

Undertakings with over 80% of their revenues and expenses abroad may apply for an exemption from Articles 1, 4 - 6, and 9 of the Rules. Those undertakings that believe they meet the requirements set forth in the first sentence shall send an application to the Central Bank of Iceland and demonstrate that they fulfil the conditions. The application shall be accompanied by a confirmation from a chartered auditor. A list of parties that have been granted such exemptions will be published on the website of the Central Bank of Iceland.

Commercial banks, savings banks, and credit institutions are authorised to engage in spot, forward, and swap transactions with foreign currency. Furthermore, commercial banks, savings banks, and credit institutions are authorised to take foreigndenominated loans to finance their activities or to refinance previous debt. Commercial banks and savings banks are authorised to receive money market deposits in Icelandic krónur from foreign parties.

Sure was HOT today. phew.


Diversity is the key to economic and political evolution.

by Cat on Sat Jun 19th, 2010 at 09:46:50 PM EST
[ Parent ]
FYI: the putz stirs...

Diversity is the key to economic and political evolution.
by Cat on Thu Jul 1st, 2010 at 03:49:50 AM EST
[ Parent ]

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