For the purposes of this Decision, the following definitions shall apply:

1. (1)

   ‘credit institution’ means a credit institution as defined in point 1 of Article 4(1) of Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 and which is supervised by the ECB.

2. (2)

   ‘consolidated basis’ has the same meaning as defined in point 48 of Article 4(1) of Regulation (EU) No 575/2013.

3. (3)

   ‘sub-consolidated basis’ has the same meaning as defined in point 49 of Article 4(1) of Regulation (EU) No 575/2013.

4. (4)

   ‘consolidating entity’ means the credit institution which shall comply with the requirements laid down in Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 on consolidated basis or sub-consolidated basis, as applicable, in accordance with Articles 11 and 18 of Regulation (EU) No 575/2013.

5. (5)

   ‘interim profits’ means profits as laid down in the applicable accounting framework, computed for a reference period shorter than a full financial year, and before the credit institution has taken a formal decision confirming such a profit or loss of the institution.

6. (6)

   ‘year-end profits’ means profits as defined in the applicable accounting framework, computed for a reference period equal to a full financial year, and before the credit institution has taken a formal decision confirming such a profit or loss of the institution.

7. (7)

   ‘pay-out ratio at consolidated level’ means the ratio between: (a) dividends, other than those paid in a form that does not reduce CET1 capital (e.g. scrip-dividends), distributed to owners of the consolidating entity; and (b) profit after tax attributable to owners of the consolidating entity. If for a given year the ratio between (a) and (b) is negative or above 100 %, the pay-out ratio shall be deemed to be 100 %. If for a given year (b) is zero, the pay-out ratio shall be deemed to be 0 % if (a) is zero, and 100 % if (a) is above zero.

8. (8)

   ‘pay-out ratio at solo level’ means the ratio between: (a) dividends, other than those paid in a form that does not reduce CET1 capital (e.g. scrip-dividends), distributed to owners of the entity; and (b) profit after tax. If for a given year the ratio between (a) and (b) is negative or above 100 %, the pay-out ratio shall be deemed to be 100 %. If for a given year (b) is zero, the pay-out ratio shall be deemed to be 0 % if (a) is zero and 100 % if (a) is above zero.