Full consolidation resulted in recognition of goodwill in the amount of 0.5 million. The consolidated income statement of the Aareal Bank Group for the year ended 31 December 2008 includes the Group's share in Main Triangel GmbH's earnings for 2008, until the date of initial consolidation ( 4 million). Gains and losses incurred since the date of full consolidation are fully included in the consolidated income statement (net loss of 1 million). This amount is allocated to the shareholders of Aareal Bank AG ( 0.8 million) and minority interests ( 0.2 million). There was also a number of mergers within the Aareal Bank Group as well as individual purchases and disposals which are insignificant from a Group perspective. An overview of material subsidiaries as at 31 December 2008 (quoting their country of domicile and the percentage of voting rights held) is given in section (G) "List of Shareholdings" of this annual report. The full list of shareholdings has been published in the electronic Federal Gazette and is available to the public. General accounting policies (1) Accounting standards Recognition and measurement is based on principles consistently applied throughout the Group. We generally apply accounting policies ­ and the presentation of financial statements ­ consistently, in order to ensure the comparability of financial statements over time. Information is presented in accordance with the principle of materiality. The bank observes the general prohibition of setting off assets against liabilities. If the criteria of IAS 12.74 are met, deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are offset. Income and expense are recognised on an accrual basis. The presentation of the financial position and the financial performance in the consolidated financial statements depends on the recognition and measurement methods underlying the preparation of the financial statements, as well as on estimates and assumptions as a result of the uncertainty associated with future events. Any assumptions and estimates required for recognition and measurement are in line with the relevant accounting standards. Estimates and assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors, such as planning and current expectations and forecasts with respect to the occurrence of future events. The most significant forward-looking assumptions and key sources of estimation uncertainty that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year primarily refer to the calculation of pension obligations, allowances for credit losses and loan loss provisions, the measurement of goodwill, property and deferred tax assets as well as the determination of fair values of certain financial instruments. 120 Aareal Bank Group ­ Annual Report 2008 | Consolidated Financial Statements | Notes