The following table shows the Central Bank of Iceland’s Balance Sheet as at the end of March 2006 with comparative figures for the end of February 2006 and end of December 2005.
The Central Bank’s foreign exchange reserves increased by 7.8 b.kr. to 79.9 b.kr. at the end of March (equivalent to 1,130 m. US dollars at the exchange rate at the end of the month). Regular Central Bank purchases of foreign currency in the domestic interbank market and exchange rate movements explain the increase in foreign reserves.
The króna depreciated by 10.3% in March against the exchange rate basket.
Central Bank claims on deposit money banks increased by 11.1 b.kr. in March and amounted to 94.1 b.kr. at the end of the month.
Claims on other financial institutions increased by 5.1 b.kr. to 16.5 b.kr. at the end of the month.
Market value of listed securities in the Bank’s portfolio was 1.7 b.kr. at the end of March.
Central Bank liabilities towards deposit money banks increased by 17.8 b.kr. in March and amounted to 43.4 b.kr. at the end of the month.
Net deposits of central government increased by 1.1 b.kr. during the month and stood at 92.2 b.kr. at the end of March.
Base money increased by 18.1 b.kr. in March and amounted to 56.1 b.kr. at the end of the month.
For further information, contact the Governors of the Central Bank of Iceland or Erla Árnadóttir, Chief Accountant, tel. (+354) 569-9600.
No. 13/2006
March 6, 2006