Microdata on banks' balance sheetsMain banks' balance sheet items for statistical purposes

As of January 2003, the database on banks' individual balance sheets (IBBaSS) contains end-of-period outstanding amounts of the assets and liabilities of monetary financial institutions (MFIs) operating in Italy, broken down by sector and place of residence (Italy, euro area, rest of the world) of the counterparty. The data are gathered at a monthly frequency. The sectors are classified as per the European system of accounts (ESA 2010). The data are broken down also by original maturity, type of instrument and purpose of the transaction.

The database includes banks operating in Italy (including foreign branches and subsidiaries) and, as of October 2007, Cassa Depositi e Prestiti SpA (CDP). To preserve data confidentiality, the bank ID (ABI code) has been replaced with a dummy code and corresponds to the one used in the IMIRITA archive to which it can therefore be associated.

The data drawn from the IBBaSS database can be compared, at aggregate level, with those distributed monthly by Banca d'Italia, which can be found in the statistical publication 'Banks and Money: National Data'.

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.

To use the microdata, you need to submit a research project and follow specific access rules.

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, Individual bank balance sheets for statistical purposes, September 2023'.

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