Provisional international banking statistics, first quarter 2008

The BIS released today provisional data for the end of the first quarter of 2008 for both its locational and consolidated banking statistics together with a short commentary (PDF, 11 pages,194 kb). Revised data, together with a detailed commentary, will be made available in the next BIS Quarterly Review to be published on 1 September 2008.

The locational banking statistics measure aggregate international claims and liabilities of all banks in the 40 reporting countries using balance of payments concepts (Table 1). For this dataset breakdowns are available by sector, instrument and vis-à-vis country. As a currency breakdown is also provided, the BIS can estimate exchange rate adjusted changes.

Worldwide consolidated data are reported on a contractual (immediate borrower) basis by banks' head offices in 30 reporting countries (Table 2). These data exclude banks' cross-border inter-office business contained in the locational data, but include additionally local claims in foreign currency of all their foreign branches and subsidiaries. Twenty-four of these countries provide more detailed information on their domestic banks' claims (exposures) on an ultimate risk basis, including local claims in all currencies. Contingent exposures are also reported (Table 3).

More detailed tables, similar to those in the statistical annex to the BIS Quarterly Review, are provided on the BIS website.