The euro-area currently comprises Belgium, Germany, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal and Finland. Greece will join the euro-area as from January 1, 2001. Scope of the data Data refer to balance sheet stock data of the Deutsche Bundesbank, including its Land Central Banks. During the quarter any transaction shall be reported at transaction prices and rates. Foreign currency positions are translated into domestic currency at the exchange rate of the contract or settlement date.
Loans are to be recorded at nominal value.
Only those liabilities denominated in foreign currency are entered at market value. An accruals principle is pursued, whereby income and expenses are recognized in the accounting period in which they are earned or incurred and not according to the period in which they are received or paid. Other Aspects Data are not seasonally adjusted nor transformed, only original accounting data are disseminated.