Microdata on the structure of the banking systemAuxiliary information for the analysis of banks' balance sheet data

The analysis of banking data must take into account extraordinary transactions between monetary financial institutions, in particular mergers and acquisitions, as well as their affiliation to any banking groups. Information on the size class or entity category for each bank is also relevant.

This database is made available to researchers to manage structural changes within the banking system and combine other information relevant to the use of the databases containing individual banking data (IBBaSS) made available by Banca d'Italia.

Size classification is based on consolidated total assets, if the bank is part of a group, or on individual total assets for stand-alone banks. The data are broken down also by type of monetary financial institution, distinguishing, in particular, cooperative credit banks from other types of intermediaries.

Access to the database is only granted in conjunction with the authorization to use the banking microdata.

The microdata can be accessed through:

• the REX remote processing system;
• the laboratory at Banca d'Italia's premises.

To help users design and test their processing programmes, the RDC has created a fake dataset that replicates the internal structure of the original database but contains randomly generated data. The dataset is provided in semicolon-delimited ASCII format.

In order to allow Banca d'Italia to collect bibliographic material resulting from the use of the microdata, you are required to fill in the publication form. Authors must cite the source in their publications, both in the data description section and under charts and figures. How to cite the database: 'Source: Banca d'Italia, Banking Data Ancillary Tables, September 2023'.

For assistance or further info concerning the microdata, please write to ricerca.microdati@bancaditalia.it.