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English Treasury Guidelines
English Treasury Guidelines
Guidelines
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Introduction
• Within the context of the new rules of corporate governance, it is established the need to provide
Logista Group with appropriate guidelines for internal control for the management of the associated
risks, of the treasury and funding sources.
• Through this document, Logista Corporate Finance management intends to request authorization to
the Board of Directors for the adoption of the Guidelines of Finance and Treasury attached, so that
through the systematic application of the same, Logista will maximize financial resources necessary
for the development of its operations.
• The evolution of the main financial magnitudes and, in particular, the treasury group that has gone
from being clearly positive to circumstances under which it may be necessary financing, shows the
need to define common standards of funding and treasury.
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Summary
B- ORGANIZATION page 5
C- FINANCING page 6
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A- Financial Policy
Logista Group financial policy relies on the following principles, which directly inspire the
present guidelines :
DEBT LEVEL
– Strong cash flows distribution to shareholders : dividend yield & sharebuyback
– Maintaining a rating (thus financial ratios) allowing access to financial markets (investment
grade)
– Flexibility : capacity to raise instantly cash for mid size acquisitions
DEBT DISTRIBUTION
– Debt raised from both banks and,if necessary in the future, financial markets
– Pooling resources : centralized financing and centralized tools and competences
– Balancing cost and safety with regards to debt maturity, debt geography, interest cost
CASH FLOWS
– Cash flows : free up cash by selling iddle assets and optimizing working capital
management
– Security : target high security standards within slim organizations
FINANCIAL RISKS
– Using carefully derivatives : simple & understandable transactions, always directly
connected with underlying risk
– Cash : low appetite for credit & market risk 4/34
B - Organization
FINANCING &
PRESIDENT TREASURY [DFT]
Milagros Ramírez
GROUP MANAGING
DIRECTOR TREASURY CENTER
Lucia Velasco González
Oscar Carmona Vazquez
CORPORATE
FINANCE [DFI] ►Payment/collection
►Accounting, balancing
TAXES
INTERNAL CONTROL
Entities – Finance teams
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C- Financing
• Financial structure
• Dividends
• Centralization
• Cash pooling
• Local debts
• Specific debts
• Cash & investments
• Guarantees
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C- Financing: financial structure
Logista Group has begun to rely on time for the debt as financial resource, for the moment, that debt
must be made directly by the parent, giving time for the subsidiaries that need it, unless tax
considerations dictate that the subsidiaries go to local financing .
PRINCIPLE
In the case of subsidiaries with minority shareholders, will be considered the best choice between
using the market or the partners to finance the company in proportion to their participation, or that
financed Logista with appropriate guarantees by the other party. If necessary guarantees, and after
making the necessary efforts to avoid them, Logista will endorse only in proportion to their
participation.
Tax considerations aside, companies 100% Logista must maintain a minimum capital
structure, with the bulk of its external financing either from Logista SA, or bank.
In the case of companies with minority shareholders, the best financing structure will be
considerer in each case, taking the necessary decisions in terms of distribution of dividends,
RULES
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C- Financing: dividends
As part of its financial policy, the Group distributes a significant part of its consolidated cash flows to
shareholders every year.
PRINCIPLE
Distribution is made on the basis of the earnings and reserves of Logista SA, the mother company,
which resources depend, on torn, principally on dividend upstream from subsidiaries .
The dividends from subsidiaries will be decided by the Corporate Finance, in the case of companies
Logista 100% (in principle, will be the result of 100% available).
The distribution will be made in the first half of each year, while dividends will be paid on account
when so determined by the Corporate Finance.
RULES
Depending to the composition of the shareholders and the financial structure of the company:
•An entity may be required to distribute-as well- part of its available reserves
•An entity may be authorised to distribute diferents dividends of 100%
•For the subsidiaries with significant minority, the decision will be taken in coordination with the
business unit responsible for the relationship with partners.
Representatives of Logista on the Boards of Directors of the subsidiaries must vote according to
these principles.
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C- Financing: Centralization
Logista Group has decided to centralise its financing & investments, with the following objectives
PRINCIPLE
For subsidiaries 100% Logista, all decisions are the responsibility of the Directorate of Treasury
Group, a branch of the Corporate Finance.
All companies with significant minority, in particular through Logista representatives at their board-
are advised to respect as much as possible the present guidelines
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C- Financing: cash pooling
The Group centralises as much as possible its financing / investments and financial risks
management on Logista SA
PRINCIPLE
For the financing of all other entities, the Group has set up internal refinancing systems :
Treasury Cash pooling (not automatic)
Intercompany loans
Financing requirements or excess cash of all entities in wich Logista has majority
shareholding are in principle covered by internal refinancing systems:
Cash pooling(s)
Not automatic, the Group's companies lend their surplus cash to Logista SA to be invested in a
centralized manner
RULES
Intercompany loans
Financial requirements of Group companies are covered in principle by Logista SA, through loans or
lines of credit
Exceptions
If, by exception, any company can access cheaper than finance than the marginal cost of taking
funds from Logista SA
If the relationship with the other partner makes it more advisable for the strategy of Logista to go to
bank financing.
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C- Financing: local debts
Intra Group Financing may not be possible in specific situation (regulations, taxes, joint-ventures or
PRINCIPLE
Entities 100% Logista may set up local financing only in the following two cases :
Company may set up with local banks non committed overdraft facilities to cover daily treasury needs. Such lines
shall be limited in amount (two days treasury flows) and shall be repayable and cancellable upon very short notice (<
5 days).
RULES
Where specific needs justify the set-up of an external financing, this shall be organised in close coordination with
the Logista Treasury Management. In particular, Logista Treasury Management shall review terms, conditions and
documentation before such financing is signed.
In addition, because it may trigger significant consequences at Group level, any event of default occuring on any
local debt, irrespective of the amount, and whether technical or not, must be immediately reported to Logista
Treasury Management.
Companies with significant minority interest must respect as much as possible these guidelines trough Logista
representatives at its board
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C- Financing: specific debts
Specific debts or “structured financing” include asset financing (properties, machinery, stocks etc…,
PRINCIPLE
including operating and financial leases), tax financing, factoring, bill discounting etc …
Corporate Finance will consider on a case by case, these options to take, if any, the most beneficial
for the Group.
Entities with majority shareholding of Logista will not set up specific debts or similar
arrangement
Exceptions
RULES
Specific tax advantages (but subject to risk assessment by the Tax department)
Standard market practices (mainly company cars, photocopiers)
Operating advantage (e.g. reduction of operating risks …)
Costs advantage
Specific financing shall in no case be used to circumvent investments approval procedures
In all cases subject to prior approval from Logista Treasury Management
In the case of off-balance sheet schemes, after consultation with the accounting & consolidation
departments
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C- Financing: cash & investments
Logista Group has been showing, traditionally positive cash flow situations.
The Group policy with respect to cash and investments is extremely conservative, and priority is
given to:
PRINCIPLE
Liquidity = ability to dispose of the cash within very short timeframe (max 3 months)
and Security = no risk to lose all or part of the principal (credit and market risks)
and Stability = volatility - whether actual or resulting from mark-to-market required by accounting
norms- shall be avoided
Logista Treasury Management runs resulting cash position in accordance with the above principles
RULES
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C- Financing: guarantees
If the guarantee or warranty necessary, its grant to be authorized by the Corporate Finance
Guarantees required by Customs or other agencies or state prosecutors to meet payment
obligations
RULES
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D- Financial risks
• Interest rates
• Foreign Exchange
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D- Financial risks: interest rate
Logista Group has not deemed it necessary, to date, hedging interest rates
PRINCIPLE
If Logista, at some point, should make such coverage, will be done in a centralized manner:
The coverage, if needed, will be carried out by Imperial, provided that conditions are equivalent to
the market and in a very cautious manner.
Financing or short term investments of all Group companies must be at floating rate.
Unless in very specific cases, cash pooling or inter company financing are at floating rates.
Unless so instructed by DFT, no Group company shall enter into any derivative transaction
RULES
If market conditions permit, will inform to the Council, the agenda for coverage of derivatives. If
market circumstances do not permit is obtained prior authorization from the Group Managing, and
will be reported later to the Council.
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D- Financial risks: foreign exchange
The opening of bank accounts in currencies other than euro, will require the prior approval of
PRINCIPLE
Corporate Finance, who will assess the need for hedging and whether it will be individually or
centrally, in each case.
If the Group, at some point, should make such hedging,it will be done in a centralized manner:
so that a net position of the Group will be established.
The hedging, if needed, will be carried out by Imperial, provided that conditions are equivalent to the
market and always in a very cautious way.
The exchange rate risks are covered, if necessary on a centralized manner, no Group
company will hedge exchange rates, unless prior permission from the Director of Corporate
Finance.
If market conditions permit, so Board will be informed about the derivatives hedging program. If
RULES
market circumstances do not permit it previous authorization will be obtained from the CEO, and it
will be communicated after words to the Council.
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E- Cash management
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E- Cash management: responsabilities
Cash Management (CM), Cash Planning and Analysis (CPA) within the group are decentralized;
they are performed by the Treasurer of each Entity, under the responsibility of its Financial
Responsible
PRINCIPLE
Each Entity must have a Treasurer – such Treasurer has a functional reporting line to DFT.
Entities have the responsibility of their own CM & CPA, and in particular of the following
aspects of collections and payments :
RULES
– Guidelines respect : putting in place adequate means and procedures to ensure that the
present guidelines are applied throughout their Entity
– Transaction securities : putting in place all adequate means to avoid fraud and errors
– Working Capital : making sure their working capital is handled in the most effective way
Entities may request DFT assistance on the most appropriate way to complete such mission
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E- Cash Management: banking policy
The Group´s banking relationship is established with several banks (see annex 1)
Such banks must be consulted and used by Treasurers for any bank transaction, provided always
RULES
Preferably, in the same market conditions, Logista Group will try to use Imperial banks
Due to their contacts at higher level, Logista Treasury will solve the complex issues relating to
banking relationships on behalf of the Group companies
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E- Cash Management: collections
following principles:
Overdue : following of overdue receivables and implementation of actions aiming at reducing it.
An aged balance must be produced and signed by the Financial Responsible (or its authorised
representative) each month.
Responsibilities for collections stays in the selling department
Entities must set realistic threshold for provisioning overdue in their accounts
Any client showing receivable(s) overdue by more than 30 days shall keep being delivered only upon
Financial Responsible (or its authorised representative) approval.
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E- Cash Management: payments
Intercompany payments – if unproperly managed – can cause process disruptions, disorder and
waste of time at several levels. Avoiding such disorder makes necessary that all Entities respect the
PRINCIPLE
same rules.
Delaying Intercompany payments can not be a way for Entities to obtain financing or improve their
working capital to the detriments of other Entities.
Payment terms for intra Group transactions are set according to market criteria and in order to
minimize the movement of funds, on 20th of the month following the date invoice. Any exception
shall be agreed by both parties.
No Entity shall make any payment of behalf of another Entity – or net receivables and payables-
RULES
Payments of interest or other financial items inter-entities will be defined by Treasury Department.
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E- Cash Management: bank accounts
basis, within 2 weeks of the end of the previous month, and must be signed by the Financial
Responsible of the Entity (or its authorised representative)
Bank charges
Each Treasurer is responsible for optimizing and CONTROLLING the banking cost of its Entity, bank
charges and value dates, etc.
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E- Cash Management: signatures
Powers
It is the responsibility of the Financial Responsible & Treasurer of the Entity to ensure that banking powers are at any
time up to date, complying with internal and Group procedures, and implemented by all banks.
The powers will be drafted by Council of Logista.
Double signature
Except to the same Entity or other Group Entities, any payment must be signed by two persons, whatever its amount.
Authorised persons
No payment shall be signed by the same person as that who has signed or authorised the invoice
The accounting department shall never be able to sign alone any payment.
Fax instructions
Payments by fax must be restricted to exceptional cases, with Financial Responsible or Treasurer signature, and with
RULES
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F- Systems & reports
• Procedures
• Code of conduct
• Systems
• Reporting
• IFRS reports
• Contracts and other legal documents
• Confidentiality
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F- Systems & reports: Procedures
The present document sets general guidelines for the Logista Group and each of its Entity
PRINCIPLE
Each Entity may in addition have set its own guidelines or procedures within this framework
Such procedures shall comply in all respect with the present guidelines.
If any part of this document presents difficulty of application, the Entity shall contact its Cash
RULES
Manager in DFT, with a view to validate such exceptions and/or adapt or fine tune the said part
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PRINCIPLE F- Systems & reports: code of conduct
The commercial aggressiveness of some banks requires the setting of specific additional rules to
gifts and invitations
As a general rule, do not accept gifts or invitations that might be interpreted as influential in the
decision-making capacity in the context of a negotiation with banks or raise conflicts of interest.
The recipient of the gift or invitation must act in good faith.
Invitations :
Invitation of a value exceeding the above threshold shall not be accepted
Events or travels lasting for more than one day shall not be accepted
Restrictions to invitation shall apply both to business and non business time (week ends, holidays)
Invitations may be accepted with an reasonable frequency (e.g. not more than once a month)
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F- Systems & reports: systems
Very early identification of banking flows may be key for safety and liquidity reasons
Cost optimization depends on daily action. The absence of optimization on one day may trigger
significant cost consequences
Permanent and immediate availability of necessary tools and information is therefore critical
Although at this point has not shown the need for a cash management tool for all entities, it is
necessary that each entity has the tools to enable it to carry out a proper management, which will be
determined by the Financial Officer of the entity along with the Treasury Department. If the size of
the entity allows it, preferably use a software treasury
Such software shall permit, inter alia :
RULES
To restore in less than 24 hours programs and datas necessary to Treasury decisions and control;
such restore shall be proven regularly by tests
Where possible, to dematerialize communication –in and out- with banks, with highest possible
security standards : passwords, physical access, electronic cards, etc …
DFT and DSI (Information Systems) remain available to advise of the must appropriate for each
Entity on the choice of a tool.
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F- Systems & reports: reporting
The Group needs regular information on the financing, investments, cash flows and financial risks
of each Entity
Such information is primarily used to :
PRINCIPLE
The above reportings include inter alia : monthly Treasury flows, detail of closing and average
RULES
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F- Systems & reports: IFRS reports
► The implementation of IFRS requires the Group to provide on a quarterly basis some information
to the respect of such norms in its consolidated accounts
PRINCIPLE
A list of all transactions which, following the application of IFRS 39, result in a mark to market
(associated, market prices, interest rates, etc)
RULES
Such transactions include in particular derivatives, investments not qualified as “cash & cash
equivalents”, financial debts
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F- Systems & reports: contracts & legal
Banks or financial institution have such documents reviewed both by Finance and Legal managers
To ensure the Entity and the Logista Group are well protected (in particular regarding – but not
limited to- jurisdiction, applicable law), the same review by Finance & Legal needs to be performed in
Logista Entities
No financing documents shall be signed without a prior review by the Legal department of
Logista
The Treasury Department in Logista will be responsible for centralizing the financial documents to be
reviewed by Legal Counsel.
RULES
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F- Systems & reports: confidentiality
Also, banks or financial organizations requesting financial information on their entities to financial
officers.
Entities are not authorized to provide any financial information to any third party, either regarding the
Group or any Entity or group of Entities, except public information
NORMAS
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GLOBAL BANKS Appendix 1: Gruop banks as at March 2014
SPAIN
PRINCIPAL BANKS
Santander, BBVA, Barclays Bank
OTHERS
CECA, Caixa, Popular,
France
NATIXIS, BNP Paribas, Societé Générale (credit cards)
LOCAL BANKS
Portugal
Milenium BCP, BBVA, Santander Totta
Italy
Banca Intesa-SanPaolo , Unicredit, La Poste Italiana
Poland
BPH (Unicredit Group)
Germany
Hypovereins Bank ( Unicredit Group)
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