Investment service companies: documentation of statistics
The documentation of the statistics describes how the statistics were compiled and what methods were used in the compilation. The data help interpret the figures of the statistics and evaluate their reliability and comparability. The quality report is based on the EU's SIMS model. The documentation also contains change releases describing changes in the statistics and possible specifying methodological descriptions.
If you are looking for statistical figures for these statistics, go to the statistics page: Investment service companies
Quality report
Data description (SIMS 3.1)
The statistics have been discontinued. Statistics on investment service companies contain quarterly and annual financial statement data on investment service companies starting from 2008. Financial statement data according to the IAS/IFRS accounting standards have been published since 2005. The data are collected with an inquiry and published quarterly.
Sector coverage (SIMS 3.3)
An investment service company operating in Finland is an institution that practises stock brokering, market making, securities trading, emission organising or investment management activities in Finland as referred to in the Act on Investment Services (747/2012) and has an investment service licence required by the same Act.
In addition to domestic investment service companies, investment service activities are practised in Finland by branch offices of foreign investment service companies operating in Finland.
Statistical unit (SIMS 3.5)
The statistical unit is institutional units engaged in investment service activities in Finland, which include not only domestic investment service companies but also branch offices of foreign investment service companies operating in Finland.
Statistical population (SIMS 3.6)
The statistical unit is institutional units engaged in investment service activities in Finland, which include not only domestic investment service companies but also branch offices of foreign investment service companies operating in Finland.
Reference area (SIMS 3.7)
The statistics cover all institutional units of investment service companies operating in Finland.
Time coverage (SIMS 3.8)
At the beginning of 2005, a new IAS/IFRS accounting standard was introduced for financial reporting by investment service companies.
Financial statements of investment service companies produced in accordance with a uniform financial statement formula prior to 2005 are available for the years 1998 to 2004 on a quarterly and annual basis. No consistent consolidated financial statements data are available for previous years.
Unit of measure (SIMS 4)
The unit of measure used in the statistics is EUR 1,000.
Reference period (SIMS 5)
The statistics are published at current prices quarterly, approximately three to four months after the end of each quarter.
Concepts and definitions (SIMS 3.4)
Accrued expenses and deferred income
Accrued interest and other expenses as well as deferred interest and other income, adjusted or supplemented on an accrual basis.
Accrued income and prepayments
Accrued interest and other income as well as prepaid interest and other expenses, adjusted or supplemented on an accrual basis.
Appropriations
Increases/decreases in the accumulated depreciation difference to be considered in determining taxable income, and increases/decreases in voluntary provisions deductible for tax purposes.
Average number of staff during the accounting period
Staff is classified into upper-level employees, lower-level employees and manual workers in accordance with the wage statistics nomenclatures of the Central Union of Business Employers and Statistics Finland, both of which distinguish between managers and other employees. The distinction between upper-level and lower-level employees is, however, ultimately determined by the firm's internal practice. Manual workers include porters, cleaners, janitors, maintenance men, cooks, chauffeurs etc.
Commission income
Commission income (finrep -reporting) The item includes commission income from security brokering, clearing and settlement, asset management, custody services, administrative service to institutional customers, payment traffic, distribution channel commissions, structured products, servicing commissions from securitisation activities, commissions from lending, granted guarantees and other received commissions.
Debt securities
Debt securities comprise all marketable debt instruments, such as Treasury bills, securities issued by municipalities, bank certificates of deposit, commercial papers, bonds and convertible bonds.
Debt securities issued to the public
Bonds and other comparable marketable bearer bonds and promissory notes made out to order and issued by an investment firm.
Deferred tax assets and tax liabilities
Deferred tax assets and liabilities arising from timing differences and other temporary differences.
Depreciation, amortisation and impairment of tangible and intangible assets
Depreciation, amortisation and impairment of tangible and intangible assets include 1) depreciations according to plan, based on the passage of time, and 2) impairment write-downs based on a probable permanent decrease in the asset's market value.
Derivative instruments
Premiums paid for derivative instruments, including positive fair values of derivative instruments included among assets.
Fees and commission expenses
Fees and commission expenses (statements) Fee and commission expenses include clearing and settlement expenses, custody expenses, servicing fees from securitisation activities, loan commitments received, guarantees received and other fee and commission expenses.
Impairment losses from other financial assets
Record here the impairment losses from held-to-maturity financial assets (debt securities) and from shares and equity of subsidiaries and holding companies valued at acquisition price.
Impairment losses on loans and other commitments
Impairment losses on receivables from credit institutions and on loans and advances to the public and general government, as well as impairment losses from off-balance sheet commitments.
Income and expenses from other than ordinary activities
Income and expenses pertaining to exceptional and non-recurring events which are not part of the ordinary business of the credit institution.
Intangible assets
Intangible rights and assets acquired against a consideration (e.g. concessions, patents, licenses and trademarks). Intangible assets generated through internal development activities can be included on a prudent basis.
Interest expenses
Interest expenses include interest, penalty interest, and commissions for loan arrangement and other commissions calculated on a time basis or by reference to the loan principal. Also included are issue losses incurred in connection with loans issues as well as fees and commissions on loans received, to the extent that these losses or commissions are attributable to the accounting period. Not included are fees in compensation of direct administrative expenses related to the granting of the loan.
Interest expenses
Interest expenses (statements) The interest expenses item includes, e.g. interests, penalty interests, and loan arrangement and other commissions that are determined based on the passing of time and the amount of capital; the share of issue losses from issued loans belonging to the financial year and the share of commissions paid on received loans belonging to the financial year excluding any compensation on direct administrative costs related to the granting of the loan.
Interest income
Interest income (statements) The interest income items includes, for example, - Interests and interest subsidies, penalty interests, and loan arrangement and other commissions that are determined based on the passing of time and the amount of capital -The proportion of the difference between the nominal value and acquisition price of receivables acquired below or under the nominal value belonging to the financial year - Difference between the repurchase price and purchase price of securities and other commodities bought with repurchase agreements during the validity of the agreement. - Interest-like income related to derivative contracts. Fees comparable to interest, such as the marginal interest rate, are allocated as interest income during the term of the loan.
Interest income
Interest income includes interest, penalty interest, and commissions for loan arrangement and other commissions calculated on a time basis or by reference to the amount of principal. Also included are: the difference between the nominal value and the purchase price of acquired receivables to the extent that it is attributable to the accounting period; the difference between the resale price and purchase price of securities or other assets bought under repos imposing obligations on the investment firm and its contracting party during the validity of the agreement; and gains of an interest nature resulting from derivative instruments. Fees and commissions which are comparable to interest income are allocated as interest income over the loan's maturity period.
Investment firm
Investment firms are business enterprises that have been granted a concession to act as investment firms by the Financial Supervision Authority FIN-FSA. Investment firms are allowed to engage in the intermediation and implementation of trading assignments in financial instruments, trading in financial instruments on own account, asset management, investment advisory services, emission arrangement and underwriting, and arrangement of multilateral trading. In addition, investment firms are allowed to offer services related to the foregoing, such as custodial services of financial instruments, and production and distribution of investment analyses.
Irrevocable commitments given in favour of a customer
Securities sale contracts which include a put option whereby the buyer may sell the securities back to the credit institution if he so wishes. Includes forward deposits, the unpaid amount of partly-paid securities, underwriting obligations, binding standby facilities and unused credit limits.
Liabilities
Liabilities is capital that external parties invest in the enterprise. A liability always involves a repayment obligation. The repayment period for current liabilities is at most one year and that of non-current liabilities is over one year. The main source of liabilities for an enterprise is banks. Different forms of lending include short and long-term credits, overdrafts on current accounts, and intermediated credits.
Liabilities to the public and general government
Liabilities to other than credit institutions and central banks.
Liguid assets
This item comprises Finnish and foreign notes and coins, cheques and bankers' drafts as well as other similar payment instruments. The item also comprises claims on central banks repayable on demand.
Loans and other receivables
Loans and other receivables (finrep - reporting) The item includes loans, deposits between financial institutions and advance payments. The data are reported as nominal values.
Net gains from securities and foreign currency transactions
Positive or negative difference (trade margin) between sales price and book value of debt securities, shares and participations belonging to the financial assets of a credit institution. Positive and negative exchange differences resulting from currency exchange and from translating foreign-currency items (assets, debts and currency swap contracts) into domestic currency.
Net income from available-for-sale financial assets
Net income from financial assets that a company holds, often for an extended period of time, with the intent of selling them at a convenient opportunity.
Net income from hedge accounting
Hedging involves the use of e.g. derivative instruments for the purpose of eliminating risks relating to e.g. interest rate, exchange rate or commodities price developments.
Net income from investment property
Net income from land or buildings not in the company's own use. Assets are held for capital appreciation or rental income.
Other assets
Receivables from payment transactions, receivables on various settlement accounts, margin receivables related to derivative instruments and other receivables not reported under any other item in the balance sheet.
Other liabilities
Liabilities related to payment transactions, accounts payable and other liabilities unrelated to the granting of credit, as well as statutory provisions.
Other operating expenses
Other operating expenses (finrep -reporting) Other operating expenses include tangible assets calculated using the current value model, investment properties, rent expenses (incl. real estate rents, machine, object and vehicle rents), merger losses, payments to insurance funds and to the Investors' Compensation Fund, other insurance and security expenses, surveillance, inspection and membership expenses, and other operating expenses.
Other operating expenses
Rental expenses and other expenses attributable to owner-occupied property, including rental expenses for machinery and equipment, merger losses, insurance and other security costs, supervision, inspection and membership fees as well as other similar expenses which are not attributable to other items.
Other operating income
Other operating income (statements) The item includes gross dividend and rental income from real estate and real estate corporations, income from administrative services to a firm in the same group or consolidation group and other similar services, and other income from actual operations.
Other operating income
Gross rental income from real estate, as well as gross dividend income and rental income from real estate corporations, commissions and fees paid for administrative services etc. by businesses belonging to the same group or consolidation group, as well as other income from the ordinary business of the credit institution.
Other restricted reserves
Statutory reserves, reserves mandated by the company's bylaws, and other reserves.
Shares and equity
Shares, primary capital or investment units and other participations that confer a right to the equity of a company. Mutual fund shares and certificates conferring right to subscription to or income from such shares or units are treated as shares and units. Shares and participations in real estate companies are not included.
Subordinated liabilities
Debt securities issued by a credit institution under conditions of subordinate priority relative to other liabilities incurred by the credit institution. The item also includes perpetuals and other subordinated hybrid capital instruments.
Tangible assets
Tangible assets (statements) Tangible assets include land, water and forest areas (unbuilt), buildings and other real estate, as well as machinery and equipment, and other tangible assets. The real estate item includes investment properties and real estate properties in own use. Buildings and structures, as well as land and water constructions are recorded as an investment during the statistical reference period when they are paid. Other fixed assets are recorded as investments during the statistical reference period when they are transferred to the buyer's or recipient's use.
Tangible assets
Tangible assets include real property (e.g. buildings, undeveloped land and water areas, property interests held under a lease, or shares and units in real estate companies) and other tangible assets, e.g. computer equipment, other office machinery and equipment, art objects, numismatic collections, vehicles, and machinery and equipment for property maintenance.
Turnover
Credit institutions' and investment firms' turnover include the following items: Interest income + Leasing income + Income from equity investments + Commissions and fees + Net income or net losses from securities and foreign exchange transactions + Other operational income. Also included after transition to IAS/IFRS-compliant reporting on 1 January 2005 are: Net income from available-for-sale financial assets + Net income from hedge accounting + Net income from investment property.
Unpaid subscriptions to share issues, investment unit issues or primary capital issues
Total amount of unpaid subscriptions to share issues, investment unit issues or primary capital issues prior to payment or annulment of the subscription.
Institutional mandate (SIMS 6)
The compilation of statistics is guided by the Statistics Act. The Statistics Act contains provisions on collection of data, processing of data and the obligation to provide data. Besides the Statistics Act, the General Data Protection Regulation, the Data Protection Act and the Act on the Openness of Government Activities are applied to processing of data when producing statistics.
Statistics Finland compiles statistics in line with the EU’s regulations applicable to statistics, which steer the statistical agencies of all EU Member States.
Further information: Statistical legislation
Legal acts and other agreements (SIMS 6.1)
The compilation of statistics is guided by the general act of the national statistical service, the Statistics Act (280/2004, amend. 361/2013). Only the necessary data that are not available from administrative data sources are collected from data suppliers. Index series are published so that no individual enterprise’s data or development can be deduced from them.
The financial statement formula used is based on the decree of the Ministry of Finance on the financial statements of credit institutions and investment service companies (Valtiovarainministeriön asetus luottolaitoksen ja sijoituspalveluyrityksen tilinpäätöksestä, konsernitilinpäätöksestä ja toimintakertomuksesta 76/2018) and the supplementary regulations of the Financial Supervisory Authority. The Financial Supervisory Authority collects data from all investment service companies operating in Finland, including from branches of foreign investment service companies in Finland.
The obligation to provide data is based on the Statistics Act (280/2004, section 14), the Act on the Financial Supervisory Authority (878/2008, sections 18 and 60), as well as on the above decree of the Ministry of Finance.
Data sharing (SIMS 6.2)
Data on the financial statement statistics on investment service companies are published annually on the statistics’ website and in the StatFin database.
Source data (SIMS 18.1)
The data are collected by the Financial Supervisory Authority from all banks and other investment service companies operating in Finland, including from branches of foreign investment service companies in Finland.
Frequency of data collection (SIMS 18.2)
The data are collected quarterly.
Data collection (SIMS 18.3)
The data are collected electronically.
Data validation (SIMS 18.4)
Validation is carried out in connection with data collection and the compilation of primary statistics. The checks are typically related to missing or abnormal observations.
Data compilation (SIMS 18.5)
Automatic and manual checks are made to the data, typically due to missing or abnormal observations. Such checks can be made, for example, by comparing reported data with published financial statements.
Overall accuracy (SIMS 13.1)
The quality of the statistics is good. The statistics are based on credit institutions’ bookkeeping. The data are checked against the published financial statements of credit institutions.
Quality assurance (SIMS 11.1)
Quality management requires comprehensive guidance of activities. The European Statistics Code of Practice forms the basis for the common quality system of the European Statistical System.
The Code of Practice is based on 16 principles that concern statistical authorities' independence, accountability and the quality of the processes and data to be published.
The principles are in line with the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics approved by the United Nations Statistics Commission and are supplementary to them. The quality criteria of Official Statistics of Finland are compatible with the European Statistics Code of Practice.
Further information: European Statistics Code of Practice | Statistics Finland and Recommendations of the Advisory Board of Official Statistics of Finland | Statistics Finland
Quality assessment (SIMS 11.2)
Official Statistics of Finland (OSF) are a comprehensive collection of statistics describing the development and state of society. They comprise nearly 300 sets of statistics on 26 different topics. The producers of Official Statistics of Finland have approved a common quality assurance in which they commit to common quality criteria and quality assurance measures.
The quality criteria of Official Statistics of Finland are compatible with the European Statistics Code of Practice. The good practices followed in the statistics are presented in Statistics Finland’s Quality Guidelines for Official Statistics handbook.
Timeliness (SIMS 14.1)
The statistics are published three to four months after the end of each quarter. The exact release dates are announced in advance on the home page of the statistics.
Punctuality (SIMS 14.2)
There are no delays between the release calendar and the actual release date.
Comparability - geographical (SIMS 15.1)
The statistics are produced in accordance with the current accounting standards and are, therefore, comparable to other financial statement statistics on investment service companies prepared in accordance with the national accounting standards.
Comparability - over time (SIMS 15.2)
There is a break in most time series at the beginning of 2018 due to a change in the financial statement formula used following the adoption of the new IFRS 9 accounting standard in FINREP reporting. Financial statements of credit institutions produced in accordance with a uniform financial statement formula prior to 2018 are available for the years 1995 to 2004, 2005 to 2013, and 2014 to 2017.
In the third quarter of 2016, the database tables of the financial statement statistics on investment service companies were changed to reflect better the FINREP data collection form of the Financial Supervisory Authority. The changes made were minor and had little effect on the comparability of the financial statement statistics on investment service companies to previous quarters.
Starting from the second quarter of 2016, certain appendix tables are excluded from the Financial Supervisory Authority’s FINREP reporting. Due to the change, Appendix table 3 (itemisation of administrative expenses of investment service companies) of the statistics on investment service companies is no longer available.
At the beginning of 2014, the data content changed due to the FINREP reporting by the Financial Supervisory Authority. As a result, the time series are partly broken and the data are not fully comparable with previous years. Financial statements produced in accordance with a uniform financial statement formula prior to 2014 are available for the years 2005 to 2013 and 1999 to 2004.
There is a break in most time series at the beginning of 2005 due to a change in the financial statement formula. At that time, a new IAS/IFRS accounting standard was introduced for financial reporting by investment service companies.
In the third quarter of 2007, the treatment of enterprise closures was changed as regards the profit and loss accounts of the statistics. The change was implemented retroactively starting from the beginning of 2006. Previously enterprises that ceased their operation were excluded from the profit and loss account data immediately after their closure. Currently, the data of investment service companies that have ceased their operation are included in the cumulative profit and loss accounts until the last quarter of the year in which they ceased their operation. The change did not affect balance sheet data. It did, however, improve the comparison of successive quarters within a year.
Coherence – cross domain (SIMS 15.3)
The statistics are produced in accordance with the current accounting standards and are, therefore, comparable with other financial statement statistics on investment service companies.
Release calendar (SIMS 8.1)
Statistics Finland publishes new statistical data at 8 am on weekdays in its web service. The release times of statistics are given in advance in the release calendar available in the web service. The data become public after they have been updated in the web service.
Further information: Publication principles for statistics at Statistics Finland
Release calendar access (SIMS 8.2)
The release calendar can be found on Statistics Finland’s website.
User access (SIMS 8.3)
The data are released to all users at the same time. Statistical data may be processed at Statistics Finland and information on them may be given before release only by persons involved in the production of the statistics concerned or who need the data of the statistics concerned in their own work before the data are published.
Further information: Publication principles for statistics
Unless otherwise specifically stated in connection with the product, data or service concerned, Statistics Finland is the producer and copyright owner of the data. The terms of use for statistical data.
Frequency of dissemination (SIMS 9)
The statistics are published approximately three to four months after the end of each quarter. The released data are final data and preliminary data are not published.
Confidentiality - policy (SIMS 7.1)
The data protection of data collected for statistical purposes is guaranteed. The compilation of statistics is guided by the Statistics Act. Alongside the Statistics Act, the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation and the Finnish Data Protection Act are applied to the processing of personal data. Provisions on the confidentiality of data collected for statistical purposes are laid down in the Act on the Openness of Government Activities.
The data are processed only by persons who need the data in their work. The use of data is restricted by usage rights. All persons employed by Statistics Finland have signed a pledge of secrecy, where they have obliged to keep secret the data prescribed as confidential by virtue of the Statistics Act or the Act on the Openness of Government Activities.
Further information: Data protection | Statistics Finland (stat.fi)
Confidentiality - data treatment (SIMS 7.2)
The data materials are protected at all stages of processing with the necessary physical and technical solutions. Unit-specific data of the calculation data must be kept confidential.
Data are handled only by persons who need the data in their work. The use of data is restricted by usage rights. The statistics are formed by processing a large number of different statistics and other data sources.
he aggregation of data in the process, the compilation time evaluation related to data quality, detailed prioritisation of sources and measures related to total level balancing produce an end result that does not enable identification of individual data producers.
All employees compiling the financial statement statistics on investment service companies have signed a pledge of secrecy, where they have obliged to keep secret the data prescribed as confidential by virtue of the Statistics Act or the Act on the Openness of Government Activities.