226 ❏ CONTENTS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF AEGON N.V. NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF  AEGON N.V.  Balance sheet 227 Income statement 228 NOTE 1  General information  229 NOTE 2  Summary of significant accounting policies  229 NOTE 3  Shares in group companies  231 NOTE 4  Loans to group companies  232 NOTE 5  Other investments 232 NOTE 6 Receivables 232 NOTE 7 Other assets  232 NOTE 8  Share capital  233 NOTE 9  Shareholders’ equity 235 NOTE 10  Convertible core capital securities 237 NOTE 11  Other equity instruments 238 NOTE 12 Long-term borrowings  239 NOTE 13  Short-term borrowings 240 NOTE 14 Other liabilities  240 NOTE 15 Number of employees  240 NOTE 16  Accountants remuneration 241 NOTE 17  Events after the balance sheet date  241 Independent auditor’s report  242 Proposal for profit appropriation  243 Major shareholders  244 OTHER INFORMATION