Strategic debt

We define as strategic debt all borrowing with the character of outside financing that does not have a direct link with our operative business. It supplements our equity and is essentially designed to reduce the cost of capital and ensure that we have sufficient liquidity at all times.

Our strategic debt as at 31 December 2007 is made up as follows:

All figures in €m 31.12.2007  Prev. year
Subordinated bonds of Munich Reinsurance Company, Munich (until December 2007, of Munich Re Finance B. V., Amsterdam) 3,385 3,419
Subordinated bonds of Munich Reinsurance Company, Munich 1,492
Senior notes of Munich Re America Corporation, Princeton 341 378
Bank borrowing of Munich Re America Corporation, Princeton 171 190
Other 54 72
Total 5,443 4,059

As at 31 December 2007, our debt leverage was 17.6%, up 4.2 percentage points on the previous year.

All figures in €m 31.12.2007 Prev. year1
Strategic debt 5,443 4,059
Group equity 25,458 26,320
Total 30,901 30,379
Debt leverage 17.6% 13.4%

1 Adjusted pursuant to IAS 8.

If the own funds recognised under supervisory law are taken as the basis instead of the balance sheet equity, the strategic debt is reduced to €2,135m. This results in a debt leverage of 6.9%.