Reserve Bank of Australia Annual Report – 2011 Financial Statements Note 15 – 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, repurchase agreements, deposits with the Bank for International Settlements, foreign currency working accounts, 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 banknotes 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 payments 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 RBA is exposed to a range of financial risks reflecting its policy and operational responsibilities. These risks include market risk, credit risk and liquidity risk. The chapters in the Annual Report on the Reserve Bank's 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 its 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 2011 was $35.8 billion ($41.8 billion as at 30 June 2010). 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 four currencies – the US dollar, the euro, the Canadian dollar and the yen – because the markets for these currencies are typically liquid and suitable for investing foreign exchange reserves. Canadian dollars were introduced following a review of the RBA's benchmark for the portfolio in July 2010; the RBA switched 5 percentage points of the portfolio into Canadian dollars from Japanese Yen (which had had a weight of 10 per cent); weights of the other currencies were unchanged (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 Special Drawing Rights) were distributed as follows as at 30 June:

% of foreign exchange
2011 2010
US dollar 45 45
Euro 45 45
Canadian dollars 5
Japanese yen 5 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.

2011 $M 2010 $M
Change in profit/equity due to a 10 per cent appreciation in the reserves-weighted value of the A$ −3,258 −3,804
Change in profit/equity due to a 10 per cent depreciation in the reserves-weighted value of the A$ 3,982 4,650

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.

Sensitivity to interest rate risk

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.

2010 $M 2009 $M
Change in profit/equity due to movements of
+/−1 percentage point across yield curves:
 
Foreign currency securities −/+456 −/+568
Australian dollar securities −/+169 −/+158

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 shares as a member of the Bank for International Settlements. This membership 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; make interest payments due on an asset; or 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 issued by a limited number of highly-rated governments, government-guaranteed agencies and supranational organisations; holding government-guaranteed issues of certain commercial banks; 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 corporate and asset-backed securities (see Note 1(b)). The RBA holds collateral to a value of between 102 and 110 per cent of the amount invested according to the risk profile of the collateral held. If the current value of collateral offered by a counterparty to a repo transaction falls by more than a pre-determined amount, the counterparty is required to provide additional collateral to restore this margin; the thresholds are specified in the legal agreements which govern these transactions. Gold loans are secured by Australian dollar securities to 110 per cent of the market value of the gold loaned.

The RBA does not sell or re-pledge securities held as collateral under buy repurchase agreements.

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:

  1. Foreign exchange swaps – As at 30 June 2011, the RBA was under contract to purchase $0.2 billion of foreign currency ($4.9 billion at 30 June 2010) and sell $0.3 billion of foreign currency ($1.9 billion at 30 June 2010). As of that date there was a net unrealised gain of $4 million on these swap positions included in net profit ($26 million unrealised gain at 30 June 2010). The exposure of these contracts to credit risk is the cost of re-establishing the contract in the market if a counterparty fails to fulfill its obligations.
  2. Interest rate futures – As at 30 June 2011, the amount of credit risk on interest rate futures contracts was approximately $1.4 million ($1.4 million at 30 June 2010). As at 30 June 2011 there was an unrealised loss brought to account on those contracts of $0.6 million ($0.5 million unrealised loss at 30 June 2010).

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.

The RBA held no past due or impaired assets at 30 June 2011 or 30 June 2010.

Risk rating of
security/issuer1
Risk rating of
counterparties1
% of total assets
      2011 2010
Australian Dollar Securities
Holdings – Commonwealth Government securities AAA n/a 0.6 0.9
Holdings – Semi Government securities AAA n/a 4.3 3.8
AA n/a 5.9 1.0
Securities sold under repurchase agreements AAA AA 0.2 0.1
AAA A 0.2 0.2
AA AA 0.1
Securities held under repurchase agreements AAA AA 11.9 9.8
AAA A 7.4 10.0
AAA BBB 0.1 1.2
AAA Other3 0.3 0.8
AA AA 6.1 9.7
AA A 2.6 2.0
AA BBB 0.1
AA Other3 0.1 0.1
A AA 1.8 2.3
A A 0.5 0.1
A BBB 0.1
Other2 AA 0.9
Foreign Investments
Holdings of securities AAA n/a 29.9 29.2
AA n/a 1.5 4.7
A n/a 0.5 0.5
Securities sold under repurchase agreements AAA AA 0.9 3.6
AAA A 0.8 0.9
AA A 0.1
Securities held under repurchase agreements AAA AAA 0.4
AAA AA 8.3 6.8
AAA A 5.5 2.8
AA AA 0.1
AA A 0.5 0.1
Deposits n/a AAA 1.7 0.4
n/a AA 1.2
Gold Loans n/a AAA 0.1 0.2
Other     7.7 6.4
  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.
3 This category includes counterparties which are not rated.

Liquidity Risk

Liquidity risk is the risk that the RBA will not have the resources required at a particular time to meet its 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.

Liquidity risk is also associated with financial assets to the extent that the RBA may in extraordinary circumstances be forced to sell a financial asset at a price which is less than its fair value. The RBA manages this risk by holding a diversified portfolio of highly liquid domestic and foreign assets.

The maturity analysis table (over page) is based on the RBA's contracted portfolio as reported in the RBA's balance sheet. All financial instruments are shown at their remaining term to maturity, which is equivalent to the repricing period. Other liabilities include amounts outstanding under sale repurchase agreements. Foreign currency swaps reflect the gross settlement amount of the RBA's outstanding foreign currency swap positions.

Maturity Analysis
As at 30 June 2011
Balance sheet
total $M
Contracted maturity $M No Specified Maturity $M Weighted average coupon rate % Weighted average effective rate %
On Demand 0 to 3 months 3 to 12 months 1 to 5
years
Over 5
years
Assets
Gold
Gold loans 46 46 0.30 0.30
Gold holdings 3,553 3,553 n/a n/a
3,599                
Foreign exchange
Balances with central banks 305 7 298 0.12 0.12
Securities sold under
repurchase agreements
1,234 186 467 581 2.14 2.14
Securities purchased under
repurchase agreements
10,797 10,797 0.45 0.45
Other securities 24,011 3,275 7,653 5,275 2,824 4,984 1.60 1.22
Deposits with BIS 1,261 2 1,258 1 0.06 0.06
Accrued interest 119 67 50 2 n/a n/a
37,727                
Australian dollar securities
Securities sold under
repurchase agreements
404 41 156 207 6.55 5.29
Securities purchased under
repurchase agreements
23,203 23,078 125 4.82 4.82
Other securities 8,111 3,247 1,721 1,961 1,182 5.47 4.99
Accrued interest 116 78 38 n/a n/a
31,834                
Property, plant & equipment 454 454 n/a n/a
Cash and cash equivalents 1,209 1,187 22 4.50 4.50
Loans and advances 6 6 3.91 3.91
Other 484 33 451 n/a n/a
Total assets 75,313 9 43,359 9,819 7,861 4,800 9,465 2.79 2.61
Liabilities
Australian notes on issue 50,059 50,059 0.23 0.23
Deposits 17,504 6,854 10,650 4.53 4.53
Distribution payable to
Australian Government
n/a n/a
Other 2,411 2,273 138 1.12 1.12
Total liabilities 69,974 6,854 12,923 50,197 1.34 1.34
Capital and reserves 5,339                
Total balance sheet 75,313                
Local Currency
Swaps
Contractual outflow (7) (7) n/a n/a
Contractual inflow 163 163 n/a n/a
156 156    
Foreign Currency
Swaps
Contractual outflow (340) (340) n/a n/a
Contractual inflow 184 184 n/a n/a
(156) (156)    
Maturity Analysis
As at 30 June 2010
Balance sheet
total $M
Contracted maturity $M No Specified Maturity $M Weighted average coupon rate % Weighted average effective rate %
On Demand 0 to 3 months 3 to 12 months 1 to 5
years
Over 5
years
Assets
Gold
Gold loans 141 47 47 47 0.27 0.28
Gold holdings 3,606 3,606 n/a n/a
3,747                
Foreign exchange
Balances with central banks 376 2 374 0.03 0.03
Securities sold under
repurchase agreements
3,142 409 1,026 678 1,029 1.57 1.33
Securities purchased under
repurchase agreements
8,348 8,348 0.19 0.19
Other securities 30,092 6,320 7,548 7,867 2,551 5,806 1.32 0.73
Deposits 997 3 993 1 0.31 0.31
Accrued interest 141 79 62 n/a n/a
43,096                
Australian dollar securities
Securities sold under
repurchase agreements
248 130 118 6.52 5.27
Securities purchased under
repurchase agreements
31,634 29,252 2,382 4.63 4.63
Other securities 4,889 1,245 866 1,198 1,580 5.57 4.96
Accrued interest 201 116 85 n/a n/a
36,972                
Property, plant & equipment 449 449 n/a n/a
Cash and cash equivalents 852 845 7 4.25 4.25
Loans and advances 7 7 3.68 3.68
Other 529 30 499 n/a n/a
Total assets 85,652 5 48,058 12,016 9,920 5,285 10,368 2.63 2.38
Liabilities
Australian notes on issue 48,759 48,759 0.23 0.23
Deposits 20,987 5,967 15,020 4.44 4.44
Distribution payable to
Australian Government
750 750 n/a n/a
Other 4,762 4,615 147 0.53 0.53
Total liabilities 75,258 5,967 20,385 48,906 1.42 1.42
Capital and reserves 10,394                
Total balance sheet 85,652                
Local Currency
Swaps
Contractual outflow (4,172) (4,172) n/a n/a
Contractual inflow 1,231 1,231 n/a n/a
(2,941) (2,941)    
Foreign Currency
Swaps
Contractual outflow (1,916) (1,916) n/a n/a
Contractual inflow 4,857 4,857 n/a n/a
2,941 2,941    

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 arms' 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 repurchase agreements, BIS 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.

2011 $M 2010 $M
Assets accounted for under AASB 139    
At fair value through Profit or Loss 33,366 38,071
Loans and receivables 37,487 43,025
Available-for-sale 302 328
Assets accounted for under other standards 4,158 4,228
Total assets as at 30 June 75,313 85,652
Liabilities accounted for under AASB 139    
At fair value through Profit or Loss 1 7
Not at fair value through Profit or Loss 69,842 75,104
Liabilities accounted for under other standards 131 147
Total liabilities as at 30 June 69,974 75,258

AASB 7 also requires that financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value be disclosed according to their position in the fair value hierarchy. This hierarchy has three levels for financial instruments valued at fair value: Level 1 is based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets; Level 2 is based on quoted prices or other observable market data not included in Level 1; while Level 3 valuations are based on inputs other than observable market data.

Level
One
$M
Two
$M
Three
$M
Total
$M
As at 30 June 2011
Assets at fair value through Profit or Loss
Domestic government securities 4,927   3,587     8,514
Foreign government securities 22,370   2,477     24,847
Foreign currency swap gains   5     5
Available-for-sale
Shares in international and other institutions     302   302
27,297   6,069   302   33,668
Liabilities at fair value through Profit or Loss
Foreign currency swap losses   1     1
  1     1
As at 30 June 2010
Assets at fair value through Profit or Loss
Domestic government securities 4,077   1,091     5,168
Foreign government securities 28,966   3,903     32,869
Foreign currency swap gains   34     34
Available-for-sale
Shares in international and other institutions     328   328
33,043   5,028   328   38,399
Liabilities at fair value through Profit or Loss
Foreign currency swap losses   7     7
  7     7