Microdata on Bank Interest RatesKey indicators for a sample of banks

The archive IMIRITA contains, starting with January 2003 and on a monthly basis, data on interest rates applied by Italian banks to euro-denominated loans to and deposits from households and non-financial corporations in the euro area both for outstanding balances (only interest rates available) and for new business (corresponding volumes are also present). New business is defined as new contracts signed during the reporting period or renegotiations of previously agreed conditions.

The archive includes a representative sample of banks operating in Italy, which originally consisted of around 125 credit institutions. This number has decreased over time due to mergers and acquisitions and is presently around 60. The sample selection, harmonised at European level, is articulated in four stratification levels and includes major institutions as self-representative. For details on sample selection, see the dataset handbook. The bank identifier (ABI code) has been modified to preserve data confidentiality and corresponds to that used in the IBBaSS archive, with which it can be associated.

The information in the IMIRITA archive is comparable to the data for the entire banking system disseminated monthly by the Bank of Italy and available in the statistical publication 'Banks and Money: National Data'. Amounts available in IMIRITA cover around 80% of the entire phenomenon.

The microdata can be accessed through:

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

To facilitate the creation of processing programmes, a dummy dataset with randomly generated values was created, replicating the structure of the original archive. The dataset is distributed in ASCII format with semicolon-separated fields.

To use the microdata, a research project must be submitted by following specific access procedures.

To allow for the collection of bibliographic material resulting from the use of the microdata, upon project completion, the author must fill in a reporting form. In publications, the author is required to cite the source, both in the data section and in the notes to tables and graphs. Citation policy: 'Source: Bank of Italy, Individual MFI Interest Rates for Italy, [2003-2024]'.

For assistance or further information regarding the use of the microdata, please write to: ricerca.microdati@bancaditalia.it.

For technical assistance on how to access the REX application please refer to: autoregistrazione@bancaditalia.it.