Improving the BIS international banking statistics

Abstract

This report documents a series of enhancements of the BIS international banking statistics (IBS) that have recently been endorsed by the Committee on the Global Financial System (CGFS) and are designed to make significant and long-lasting improvements to the IBS. The report provides a short introduction to the IBS and their main uses and discusses the nature and rationale of the forthcoming changes, which have been developed by a group of statistical experts and economists chaired by Werner Hermann (Swiss National Bank). The enhancements will provide a more comprehensive picture of national banking systems' global consolidated balance sheets, allow for a more detailed analysis of vis-à-vis country information, and help to better track banks' funding patterns and associated risks. They will also make national contributions to the IBS more complete and accessible.