Published: 12.06.2017

The principal changes in the assets and liabilities of Latvijas Banka on the 31 May 2017 balance sheet as compared to 30 April 2017 and the reasons for these changes.

In May 2017, loans granted as a result of targeted longer-term refinancing operations by Latvijas Banka remained unchanged.

Following the decision of the Governing Council of the European Central Bank (ECB) of 22 January 2015 on an expanded asset purchase programme (APP) and the decision of the Governing Council of the ECB of 10 March 2016 on the supplementation of the expanded APP, the balance sheet item "Securities held for monetary policy purposes" grew by 189.7 million euro or 3.6% in May 2017, mostly on account of the purchase of securities.

In May 2017, deposits of credit institutions shrank by 294.2 million euro or 6.9% as reflected in the balance sheet item "Liabilities to euro area credit institutions related to monetary policy operations denominated in euro".

Mainly as a result of cross-border payments received and made by credit institutions and Latvijas Banka, an increase was recorded in liabilities to the ECB reported under the balance sheet item "Liabilities related to TARGET2 and national central bank correspondent accounts (net)", reflecting the settlement result in the TARGET2 settlement system.

J. Caune
Chief Accountant
Latvijas Banka