Monetary and Financial Statistics
As the Bank’s in-house team of statistical experts, we compile, analyse and publish data from all banks and building societies across the country. Our statistics cover areas such as mortgage lending, consumer credit, international capital flows and derivatives, and the amount of notes and coins in circulation. We are the first to receive confidential data from financial institutions each month, and liaise regularly with large banks to discuss their business.
During 2008, we assumed new responsibilities to enhance the monitoring of bank lending and now produce the Bank’s new monthly publication, ‘Trends in Lending’.
Our data reveal patterns and trends present in the economy, and are used to inform important decisions taken by a wide range of internal and external customers. The accuracy and reliability of our work are therefore paramount, and we have built an international reputation as a centre of excellence for statistics.
Within the Bank, the data we produce are used to guide the Monetary Policy Committee, to advise the Financial Stability teams, and also to support work in the Markets division. And beyond the Bank, we play an important role in the financial sector by helping the press and others understand and interpret the data we publish.