Uses of the BIS statistics: an introduction

The mandate of the BIS is to foster monetary and financial cooperation among central banks and within the international financial community. The compilation, publication and analysis of statistics on international banking and financial market activity make an important contribution to the fulfilment of this mandate.2 Each quarter, the BIS publishes statistics on banks' international positions, issuance of international and domestic debt securities, turnover and open interest in exchange-traded derivatives, and international equity offerings. Twice a year, data are released on notional stocks and market values of overthe- counter (OTC) derivatives. And every three years, statistics are made available on turnover in foreign exchange and OTC derivatives markets.