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Annual Reporting 2006  
Annual Review Financial Report Handbook
     
Introduction
Presentation of Financial Information
UBS
Financial Businesses
Industrial Holdings
Balance Sheet and Cash Flows
Accounting Standards and Policies
Financial Statements
Notes to the Financial Statements
UBS AG (Parent Bank)
Additional Disclosure Required under SEC Regulations
 

Note 21 Provisions
Note 21  Provisions

CHF million

Operational

Litigation

Other 1

Total 31.12.06

Total 31.12.05 2

Balance at the beginning of the year

334

592

1,146

2,072

2,020

Additions from acquired companies

0

25

1

26

1

New provisions charged to income

(7)

404

233

630

520

Capitalized reinstatement costs

0

0

22

22

3

Recoveries

3

2

0

5

25

Provisions applied

(63)

(290)

(113)

(466)

(588)

Disposal of subsidiaries

0

0

(607) 2

(607)

(11)

Reclassifications

(72)

0

108

36

0

Foreign currency translation

(10)

(34)

(2)

(46)

102

Balance at the end of the year

185

699

788

1,672

2,072

1  In 2006, in connection, with a strategy review of its business and a review of its office space planning, Wealth Management US decided not to use office space rented by UBS under a long-term contract in a new building in New Jersey. Senior management approved a proposal to enter into a 10-year sublease contract with an external party for the unused office space. Under the terms of this contract, the sublease income is not sufficient to cover the rent UBS pays under its original contract and costs incurred for arranging the sublease. UBS recorded a provision to cover the shortfall of this onerous lease contract which amounted to CHF 185 million on 31 December 2006. 2  Comprises provisions mainly for annual cost liabilities related to power purchases from joint venture companies where production costs exceed market prices; reinstatement costs; subleases.

Legal Proceedings

UBS Group operates in a legal and regulatory environment that exposes it to potentially significant litigation risks. As a result, UBS is involved in various disputes and legal proceedings, including litigation, arbitration, and regulatory and criminal investigations. Such cases are subject to many uncertainties, and their outcome is often difficult to predict, particularly in the earlier stages of a case. In certain circumstances, to avoid the expense and distraction of legal proceedings, UBS may, based on a cost benefit analysis, enter a settlement even though UBS denies any wrongdoing. The Group makes provisions for cases brought against it only when after seeking legal advice, in the opinion of management, it is probable that a liability exists, and the amount can be reasonably estimated (see table above). No provision is made for claims asserted against the Group that in the opinion of management are without merit and where it is not likely that UBS will be found liable.

At 31 December 2006, UBS is involved in the following legal proceedings which could be material to the Group in a given reporting period:

(a) InsightOne: In December 2006, the New York State ­Attorney General (NYAG) filed a civil complaint regarding InsightOne, the Firm's fee-based brokerage program for private clients in the United States. The InsightOne program is a fee-based brokerage program, in which ­clients pay an asset-based fee for trading activity rather than commissions on a per trade basis and was designed to align more closely the interests of financial advisors and clients. UBS denies that the program was part of a scheme to disadvantage clients and intends to defend itself vigorously in this matter.

(b) Tax Shelter: In connection with a criminal investigation of tax shelters, the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York (U.S. Attorney's Office) is examining UBS's conduct in relation to certain tax-oriented transactions in which UBS and others engaged during the years 1996–2000. Some of these transactions were a subject of the Deferred Prosecution Agreement which the accounting firm KPMG LLP entered into with the U.S. Attorney's Office in August 2005, and are at issue in United States v. Stein, S1 05 Cr. 888 (LAK). UBS is cooperating with the government's investigation.

(c) Municipal Bonds: In November 2006, UBS and others received subpoenas from the U.S. Department of Justice, Antitrust Division, and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. These subpoenas concern UBS's conduct relating to derivative transactions entered into with municipal bond issuers, and to the investment of proceeds of municipal bond issuances. UBS is cooperating with these investigations.

(d) HealthSouth: UBS is defending itself in two purported securities class actions brought in the U.S. District Court of the Northern District of Alabama by holders of stock and bonds in HealthSouth Corp. UBS also is a defendant in HealthSouth derivative litigation in Alabama state court and has responded to an SEC investigation relating to UBS's role as a banker for HealthSouth.

(e) Bankruptcy Estate of Enron: In November 2003, Enron brought adversarial proceedings against UBS and others in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York seeking avoidance and recovery of payments that Enron made prior to filing for bankruptcy in connection with equity forward and swap transactions The Bankruptcy Court dismissed UBS's motion for summary judgment in August 2005. Discovery is ongoing.

(f) Parmalat: UBS is involved in a number of proceedings in Italy related to the bankruptcy of Parmalat. These proceedings include, inter alia, clawback proceedings against UBS Limited in connection with a structured finance transaction. Further, UBS is a defendant in two civil damages claims brought by Parmalat, of which one relates to the same structured finance transaction against UBS Limited, while the other against UBS AG relates to certain derivative transactions. In addition, UBS Limited and two UBS employees are the subject of criminal proceedings in Milan. Finally, UBS is a defendant in civil actions brought by individual investors in those criminal proceedings. All proceedings still are in an early stage. UBS denies the allegations made against itself and against its employees in these matters, and is defending itself vigorously.

Important legal information - please read the disclaimer before proceeding.

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