The BIS consolidated international banking statistics - fourth quarter 2002

The BIS is today releasing consolidated banking statistics for end-December 2002. These statistics provide an insight into the nature and extent of banks' foreign exposures, as well as supplementary information about countries' external indebtedness.

The first section highlights significant trends and structural breaks. Trends in the fourth quarter of 2002 were that:

• banks in developed countries continued to shift into lower-risk assets;
• local currency claims on emerging markets continued to rise.

Comprehensive explanatory notes are included which define the terms used to present the statistics. Statistical tables follow the explanatory notes.