Preliminary international banking statistics at end-December 2012

Statistics at end-December 2012 are preliminary and subject to change. Developments in the latest data are highlighted in the Statistical release. Data are available on the BIS website, via the BIS WebStats query tool, or in a single PDF in detailed annex tables. Final statistics and an analysis of recent trends will be released in conjunction with the forthcoming BIS Quarterly Review, to be published on 3 June 2013. Data at end-March 2013 will be released no later than 24 July 2013.

International banking activity in the fourth quarter of 2012 continued to be marked by divergent sectoral trends, as credit to bank and non-bank counterparties moved in opposite directions. Cross-border claims on banks and related offices contracted by $405 billion between end-September and end-December 2012, whereas those on non-bank borrowers, including governments and non-bank financial intermediaries, increased by $132 billion. Owing to this divergence, the share of outstanding international claims on a consolidated basis accounted for by interbank claims declined to a historical low of 38% at end-December 2012. This is down from 40% at end-2011 and 46% at end-2007.

Queries regarding the international banking statistics may be directed to statistics@bis.org.