Reserve Bank of Australia Annual Report – 2008 Financial Statements Note 16
Note 16 FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND RISK
As the central bank of Australia, the RBA is responsible for implementing monetary policy and managing Australia's foreign reserve assets. As a consequence, the RBA holds a range of financial assets, including Australian dollar securities, foreign government securities, bank deposits, interest rate futures contracts, foreign currency swaps, gold loans, cash and cash equivalents. The RBA also holds a shareholding in the Bank for International Settlements. As to financial liabilities, the RBA issues Australia's banknotes and offers deposit facilities to its customers, mainly the Australian Government, and eligible financial institutions. Accordingly, the main financial claims on the RBA are currency notes on issue as well as deposit liabilities. The RBA also provides banking services to its customers, and operates Australia's high-value payments and inter-bank settlement systems. These payment and settlements occur through accounts held on the RBA's balance sheet.
AASB 7 – Financial Instruments: Disclosures requires disclosure of information relating to financial instruments; their significance and performance; terms and conditions; fair values; risk exposures and risk management.
Financial Risk
The risks incurred by virtue of holding financial instruments include market risk, credit risk and liquidity risk. The RBA is exposed to a range of financial risks reflecting its policy and operational responsibilities. The chapters on the Reserve Bank's Balance Sheet and Operations in Financial Markets and Risk Management provide additional information on the RBA's management of these financial risks.
Market Risk
Market risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market prices. Market risk comprises: foreign exchange risk, interest rate risk, and other price risk.
Foreign exchange risk
Foreign exchange risk is the risk that the fair value or cash flows of foreign currency assets and liabilities will fluctuate because of movements in exchange rates. Foreign exchange risk arises from the RBA's foreign currency assets, which are held to support the RBA's operations in the foreign exchange market. The value of these assets, measured in Australian dollars, varies with movements in the value of the Australian dollar exchange rate against the currencies in which the assets are invested. An appreciation in the exchange rate results in valuation losses, while a depreciation leads to valuation gains. The overall level of foreign currency exposure is determined by policy considerations and cannot otherwise be managed to reduce foreign exchange risk. The RBA's net foreign currency exposure as at 30 June 2008 was $33.0 billion ($29.8 billion as at 30 June 2007). Within the overall exposure and to a limited extent, foreign currency risk can be reduced by holding assets across a diversified portfolio of currencies. The RBA holds foreign reserves in three currencies – the US dollar, the Euro and the Yen – because the markets for these currencies are highly liquid and suitable for investing foreign exchange reserves. (See Concentration of foreign exchange below.)
The RBA also undertakes foreign currency swaps to assist its daily domestic market operations. These instruments carry no foreign exchange risk since the exchange rates at which both legs of the transaction are settled are agreed at the time the swap is undertaken.
Concentration of foreign exchange
The RBA's net holdings of foreign exchange (excluding its holding of SDRs) were distributed as follows as at 30 June:
| % of foreign exchange | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 2007 | |
| US dollar | 45 | 45 |
| Euro | 45 | 45 |
| Japanese yen | 10 | 10 |
| Total foreign exchange | 100 | 100 |
Sensitivity to foreign exchange risk
The sensitivity of the RBA's profit and equity to a movement of +/-10 per cent in the value of the Australian dollar exchange rate as at 30 June is shown below. These figures are generally reflective of the RBA's exposure over the financial year.
| 2008 $M | 2007 $M | |
|---|---|---|
| Loss/decrease in equity due to a 10 per cent appreciation in the reserves-weighted value of the A$ | −2,997 | −2,705 |
| Profit/increase in equity due to a 10 per cent depreciation in the reserves-weighted value of the A$ | 3,664 | 3,306 |
Interest rate risk
Interest rate risk is the risk that the fair value or cash flows of financial instruments will fluctuate because of movements in market interest rates. The RBA's balance sheet is exposed to considerable interest rate risk because most of its assets are financial assets, such as domestic and foreign securities, which have a fixed income stream. The price of such securities increases when market interest rates decline, while the price of a security will fall if market rates rise. Interest rate risk increases with the maturity of a security because the associated income stream is fixed for a longer period.
The interest rate risk table (overpage) is based on the RBA's contracted portfolio as reported in the RBA's balance sheet. All financial instruments are shown at their repricing period which is equivalent to the remaining term to maturity. Other liabilities include amounts outstanding under sale repurchase agreements. Interest rate futures reflect the positions in interest rate contracts traded on foreign futures exchanges.
| Balance sheet total $M |
Floating interest rate $M |
Repricing Period $M | Not bearing interest $M |
Weighted average coupon rate % |
Weighted average effective rate % |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 to 3 months | 3 to 12 months | 1 to 5 years |
Over 5 years | |||||||
| Assets | ||||||||||
| Gold loans | 866 | – | 155 | 620 | 62 | – | 29 | 1.36 | 1.36 | |
| Gold holdings | 1,643 | – | – | – | – | – | 1,643 | n/a | n/a | |
| Sub-total | 2,509 | |||||||||
| Foreign exchange | ||||||||||
| Balances with central banks | 314 | 311 | – | – | – | – | 3 | 1.70 | 1.70 | |
| Securities sold under repurchase agreements |
9,086 | – | – | 1,700 | 3,748 | 3,638 | – | 3.37 | 3.10 | |
| Securities purchased under repurchase agreements |
13,537 | – | 13,537 | – | – | – | – | 2.42 | 2.42 | |
| Other securities | 14,337 | 198 | 1,787 | 2,473 | 5,004 | 4,049 | 826 | 3.38 | 3.72 | |
| Deposits | 5,008 | 27 | 4,980 | – | – | – | 1 | 3.41 | 3.41 | |
| Accrued interest – foreign exchange |
223 | – | – | – | – | – | 223 | n/a | n/a | |
| Sub-total | 42,505 | |||||||||
| Australian dollar securities | ||||||||||
| Securities sold under repurchase agreements |
– | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | |
| Securities purchased under repurchase agreements |
51,451 | – | 41,392 | 10,059 | – | – | – | 7.52 | 7.52 | |
| Other securities | 2,777 | – | 384 | – | 1,438 | 955 | – | 6.33 | 7.26 | |
| Accrued interest – Australian dollar securities |
474 | – | – | – | – | – | 474 | n/a | n/a | |
| Sub-total | 54,702 | |||||||||
| Property, plant & equipment | 456 | – | – | – | – | – | 456 | n/a | n/a | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 862 | 853 | – | – | – | – | 9 | 7.25 | 7.25 | |
| Loans and advances | 10 | 10 | – | – | – | – | – | 4.72 | 4.72 | |
| Other | 428 | – | – | – | – | – | 428 | n/a | n/a | |
| Total assets | 101,472 | 1,399 | 62,235 | 14,852 | 10,252 | 8,642 | 4,092 | 5.34 | 5.39 | |
| Liabilities | ||||||||||
| Australian notes on issue | 42,064 | 2,483 | – | – | – | – | 39,581 | 0.43 | 0.43 | |
| Deposits | 39,006 | 8,221 | 29,406 | – | – | – | 1,379 | 7.21 | 7.21 | |
| Distribution payable to Australian Government |
1,403 | – | – | – | – | – | 1,403 | n/a | n/a | |
| Other | 9,786 | – | 9,123 | – | – | – | 663 | 1.91 | 1.91 | |
| Total liabilities | 92,259 | 10,704 | 38,529 | – | – | – | 43,026 | 3.45 | 3.45 | |
| Capital and reserves | 9,213 | |||||||||
| Total balance sheet | 101,472 | |||||||||
| Off balance sheet items | ||||||||||
| Interest rate futures | 99 | – | – | – | – | – | 99 | n/a | n/a | |
| Balance sheet total $M |
Floating interest rate $M |
Repricing Period$M | Not bearing interest $M |
Weighted average coupon rate % |
Weighted average effective rate % |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 to 3 months | 3 to 12 months | 1 to 5 years |
Over 5 years | |||||||
| Assets | ||||||||||
| Gold loans | 1,064 | – | – | 390 | 640 | – | 34 | 1.35 | 1.35 | |
| Gold holdings | 937 | – | – | – | – | – | 937 | n/a | n/a | |
| Sub-total | 2,001 | |||||||||
| Foreign exchange | ||||||||||
| Balances with central banks | 357 | 352 | – | – | – | – | 5 | 4.27 | 4.27 | |
| Securities sold under repurchase agreements | 13,652 | – | 1,282 | 2,223 | 4,145 | 6,002 | – | 4.26 | 4.71 | |
| Securities purchased under repurchase agreements | 49,778 | – | 49,778 | – | – | – | – | 4.93 | 4.93 | |
| Other securities | 12,268 | 228 | 3,991 | 2,090 | 2,365 | 1,800 | 1,794 | 2.57 | 2.67 | |
| Deposits | 16,928 | 27 | 16,899 | – | – | – | 2 | 5.02 | 5.02 | |
| Accrued interest – foreign exchange |
555 | – | – | – | – | – | 555 | n/a | n/a | |
| Sub-total | 93,538 | |||||||||
| Australian dollar securities | ||||||||||
| Securities sold under repurchase agreements | 663 | – | – | 168 | 300 | 195 | – | 7.11 | 6.35 | |
| Securities purchased under repurchase agreements | 30,351 | – | 29,551 | 800 | – | – | – | 6.29 | 6.29 | |
| Other securities | 3,772 | – | 125 | 305 | 1,945 | 1,397 | – | 6.45 | 6.50 | |
| Accrued interest – Australian dollar securities | 169 | – | – | – | – | – | 169 | n/a | n/a | |
| Sub-total | 34,955 | |||||||||
| Property, plant & equipment | 421 | – | – | – | – | – | 421 | n/a | n/a | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 586 | 571 | – | – | – | – | 15 | 6.25 | 6.25 | |
| Loans and advances | 18 | 18 | – | – | – | – | – | 4.04 | 4.04 | |
| Other | 375 | – | – | – | – | – | 375 | n/a | n/a | |
| Total assets | 131,894 | 1,196 | 101,626 | 5,976 | 9,395 | 9,394 | 4,307 | 4.90 | 4.95 | |
| Liabilities | ||||||||||
| Australian notes on issue | 40,289 | 2,588 | – | – | – | – | 37,701 | 0.40 | 0.40 | |
| Deposits | 65,830 | 2,996 | 61,106 | 50 | – | – | 1,678 | 6.25 | 6.25 | |
| Distribution payable to Australian Government | 1,085 | – | – | – | – | – | 1,085 | n/a | n/a | |
| Other | 16,072 | – | 14,470 | – | – | – | 1,602 | 4.20 | 4.20 | |
| Total liabilities | 123,276 | 5,584 | 75,576 | 50 | – | – | 42,066 | 4.01 | 4.01 | |
| Capital and reserves | 8,618 | |||||||||
| Total balance sheet | 131,894 | |||||||||
| Off balance sheet items | ||||||||||
| Interest rate futures | 537 | – | – | – | – | – | 537 | n/a | n/a | |
Sensitivity to interest rate risks
The figures below show the effect on the RBA's profit and equity of a movement of +/−1 percentage point in interest rates, given the level, composition and modified duration of the RBA's foreign currency and Australian dollar securities as at 30 June. The valuation effects shown are generally reflective of the RBA's exposure over the financial year.
| 2008 $M | 2007 $M | |
|---|---|---|
| Change in profit/equity due to movements of +/-1 percentage point across yield curves: | ||
| Foreign currency securities | −/+828 | −/+784 |
| Australian dollar securities | −/+86 | −/+159 |
A rise in interest rates would be associated with a valuation loss; a fall in interest rates would be associated with a valuation gain.
Other price risk
The RBA holds Australia's shares in the Bank for International Settlements as a member of the BIS. This is mainly to maintain and develop strong relationships with other central banks which are to Australia's advantage. Shares in the BIS are owned exclusively by its member central banks and monetary authorities. For accounting purposes, the RBA treats BIS shares as ‘available for sale’ and the fair value of these shares is estimated on the basis of the BIS’ net asset value, less a discount of 30 per cent. Accordingly, these shares are revalued to reflect movements in the net asset value of the BIS and in the Australian dollar. The price risk faced on BIS shares is incidental to the general reasons for holding them and is immaterial compared with other market risks faced by the RBA. For this reason, this exposure is not included as part of the RBA's net foreign currency exposure outlined above.
Credit Risk
Credit risk is the potential for financial loss arising from an issuer or counterparty defaulting on its obligations to repay the principal or interest payments due on an asset, or to settle a transaction. For the RBA, credit risk arises from exposure to the issuers of securities that it holds; banks with which it deposits funds; and counterparties which are yet to settle transactions. The RBA's credit exposure is low compared with that of most commercial financial institutions, as it manages such risks within a highly risk-averse framework. In particular, credit risk is managed by: holding securities of a limited number of highly-rated governments; holding deposits with highly-rated banks in amounts consistent with their credit ratings and capital positions; and holding collateral only of low credit risk against buy repurchase agreements and gold loans.
Cash invested under repurchase agreements in overseas markets is secured by collateral in the form of government securities or securities issued by US agencies; the RBA takes and maintains collateral to the value of 102 per cent of the cash invested. Cash invested under domestic buy repurchase agreements is secured by securities issued by Australian governments, Australian banks and various asset backed securities (see Note 1(b)). The RBA holds collateral to a value between 102 and 110 per cent of the amount invested according to the risk profile of the collateral held. Gold loans are secured by Australian dollar securities to 110 per cent of the market value of the gold loaned.
The RBA's maximum exposure to credit risk in relation to each class of recognised financial assets, other than derivatives (off-balance sheet items), is the carrying amount of those assets as indicated in the balance sheet.
The RBA's maximum credit risk exposure in relation to off-balance sheet items is:
- Foreign exchange swaps – As at 30 June 2008 the RBA was under contract to purchase $5.2 billion of foreign currency ($10.8 billion at 30 June 2007) and sell $5.2 billion of foreign currency ($59.5 billion at 30 June 2007). As of that date there was an unrealised net gain of $3 million on these swap positions included in net profit ($1,091 million unrealised gain at 30 June 2007). The exposure of these contracts to credit risk is the cost of re-establishing the contract in the market if a counterparty fails to fulfil its obligations.
- Interest rate futures – As at 30 June 2008 the amount of credit risk on interest rate futures contracts was approximately $1.4 million ($1.6 million at 30 June 2007). As at 30 June 2008 there was an unrealised gain brought to account on those contracts of $0.9 million ($1.1 million unrealised loss at 30 June 2007).
Concentration of credit risk
As noted, the RBA operates to minimise its credit risk exposure through comprehensive risk management policy guidelines. The following table indicates the concentration of credit risk in the RBA's investment portfolio.
As at 30 June 2008 (or 30 June 2007) the RBA held no past due or impaired assets.
| Risk rating of security issuer1 |
Risk rating of counterparties1 |
% of total assets | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 2007 | |||
| Domestic Government Securities | ||||
| Holdings – Commonwealth Government securities | AAA | n/a | 0.0 | 1.1 |
| Holdings – Semi Government securities | AAA | n/a | 2.3 | 1.6 |
| AA | n/a | 0.5 | 0.2 | |
| Securities sold under repurchase agreements | AAA | AA | 0.0 | 0.5 |
| AAA | A | 0.0 | 0.1 | |
| Securities held under repurchase agreements | AAA | AA | 7.7 | 9.4 |
| AAA | A | 0.6 | 1.1 | |
| AAA | other | 0.1 | 1.4 | |
| AA | AA | 36.5 | 10.0 | |
| AA | A | 0.1 | 0.0 | |
| AA | other | 0.1 | 0.0 | |
| A | AA | 5.3 | 1.1 | |
| A | A | 0.4 | 0.0 | |
| BBB | AA | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| other2 | AA | 0.3 | 0.0 | |
| Foreign investments | ||||
| Holdings of securities | AAA | n/a | 11.0 | 4.3 |
| AA | n/a | 2.9 | 3.9 | |
| A | n/a | 0.3 | 0.3 | |
| Securities sold under repurchase agreements | AAA | AA | 4.2 | 9.0 |
| AAA | A | 4.7 | 1.2 | |
| AA | AA | 0.0 | 0.1 | |
| AA | A | 0.1 | 0.1 | |
| Securities held under repurchase agreements | AAA | AAA | 0.3 | 0.3 |
| AAA | AA | 7.8 | 34.9 | |
| AAA | A | 5.2 | 2.1 | |
| AA | AAA | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| AA | AA | 0.0 | 0.7 | |
| AA | A | 0.3 | 0.2 | |
| Deposits | n/a | AAA | 0.3 | 0.6 |
| n/a | AA | 4.7 | 12.3 | |
| Other | n/a | AA | 0.0 | 0.7 |
| n/a | A | 0.0 | 0.1 | |
| Gold loans | n/a | AAA | 0.1 | 0.1 |
| n/a | AA | 0.5 | 0.6 | |
| n/a | A | 0.2 | 0.1 | |
| n/a | BBB | 0.1 | 0.1 | |
| Other | 3.4 | 1.8 | ||
| 100 | 100 | |||
|
1 Standard & Poor's equivalent ratings 2 This category includes Asset Backed Commercial Paper (ABCP), which does not have a long-term credit rating. |
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Liquidity Risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that the RBA will encounter difficulty in meeting obligations associated with its financial liabilities. As the ultimate source of liquidity in Australian dollars, the RBA has the powers and operational wherewithal to create liquidity in unlimited amounts in Australian dollars at any time. A small component of the RBA's liabilities is in foreign currencies, namely foreign sale repurchase agreements. All risks associated with these instruments, including liquidity risk, are managed by ensuring the liability is fully hedged.
Liquidity risk is also associated with financial assets to the extent that the RBA may have to sell a financial asset at less than its fair value. The RBA manages this risk by holding a diversified portfolio of highly liquid domestic and foreign assets.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Fair value is the amount for which an asset could be exchanged, or a liability settled, between knowledgeable, willing parties in an arm's length transaction, and is usually determined by the quoted market price. The RBA's Australian dollar securities, foreign government securities, interest rate futures, foreign currency swap contracts and its shareholding in the Bank for International Settlements are carried in the balance sheet (and shown in this note) at fair value. The RBA's bank deposits, cash and cash equivalents, notes on issue and deposit liabilities are carried in the balance sheet (and shown in this note) at face value, which is equivalent to their amortised cost using the effective interest method; this approximates fair value.
AASB 7 requires that the fair value of financial assets and liabilities be disclosed according to their accounting classification under AASB 139.
| 2008 $M | 2007 $M | |
|---|---|---|
| Assets | ||
| At fair value through Profit or Loss | 26,446 | 30,631 |
| Loans and receivables | 71,637 | 98,944 |
| Available-for-sale | 1,131 | 839 |
| Total financial assets as at 30 June | 99,214 | 130,414 |
| Non-financial assets | 2,258 | 1,480 |
| Total assets as at 30 June | 101,472 | 131,894 |
| Liabilities | ||
| At fair value through Profit or Loss | 399 | 1,321 |
| Not at fair value through Profit or Loss | 90,264 | 120,668 |
| Non-financial liabilities | 1,596 | 1,287 |
| Total liabilities as at 30 June | 92,259 | 123,276 |