The benchmark interest rate in Australia was last recorded at 3.85 percent. This dataset provides - Australia Interest Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

The Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) cash rate target in-part determines interest rates on financial products.

Long-term interest rate in Australia, June, 2025 The most recent value is 4.22 percent as of June 2025, a decline compared to the previous value of 4.35 percent. Historically, the average for Australia from July 1969 to June 2025 is 7.36 percent. The minimum of 0.8 percent was recorded in October 2020, while the maximum of 16.5 percent was reached in August 1982. | TheGlobalEconomy.com

Real interest rate (%) in Australia was reported at 1.5781 % in 2019, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Australia - Real interest rate - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Mortgage credit interest rate, percent in Australia, March, 2025 The most recent value is 7.32 percent as of March 2025, a decline compared to the previous value of 7.38 percent. Historically, the average for Australia from January 2000 to March 2025 is 6.21 percent. The minimum of 3.64 percent was recorded in August 2021, while the maximum of 9.32 percent was reached in July 2008. | TheGlobalEconomy.com

As at November 2024, the average fixed interest rate for a 1-year standard investor residential mortgage in Australia was 6.6 percent. In comparison, the average fixed rate for a 5-year standard mortgage was 6.6 percent.

In May 2025, global inflation rates and central bank interest rates showed significant variation across major economies. Most economies initiated interest rate cuts from mid-2024 due to declining inflationary pressures. The U.S., UK, and EU central banks followed a consistent pattern of regular rate reductions throughout late 2024. In early 2025, Russia maintained the highest interest rate at 20 percent, while Japan retained the lowest at 0.5 percent. Varied inflation rates across major economies The inflation landscape varies considerably among major economies. China had the lowest inflation rate at -0.1 percent in May 2025. In contrast, Russia maintained a high inflation rate of 9.9 percent. These figures align with broader trends observed in early 2025, where China had the lowest inflation rate among major developed and emerging economies, while Russia's rate remained the highest. Central bank responses and economic indicators Central banks globally implemented aggressive rate hikes throughout 2022-23 to combat inflation. The European Central Bank exemplified this trend, raising rates from 0 percent in January 2022 to 4.5 percent by September 2023. A coordinated shift among major central banks began in mid-2024, with the ECB, Bank of England, and Federal Reserve initiating rate cuts, with forecasts suggesting further cuts through 2025 and 2026.

Interbank Rate in Australia decreased to 3.84 percent in June from 4 percent in May of 2025. This dataset provides - Australia Three Month Interbank Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Lending interest rate (%) in Australia was reported at 5.101 % in 2019, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Australia - Lending interest rate - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Business credit interest rate, percent in Australia, March, 2025 The most recent value is 9.63 percent as of March 2025, a decline compared to the previous value of 9.75 percent. Historically, the average for Australia from January 2000 to March 2025 is 8.1 percent. The minimum of 5.63 percent was recorded in September 2021, while the maximum of 10.83 percent was reached in July 2008. | TheGlobalEconomy.com

Bank deposit interest rate, percent in Australia, March, 2025 The most recent value is 4 percent as of March 2025, a decline compared to the previous value of 4.1 percent. Historically, the average for Australia from January 2000 to March 2025 is 3.78 percent. The minimum of 0.25 percent was recorded in June 2021, while the maximum of 8.25 percent was reached in July 2008. | TheGlobalEconomy.com

As of the end of March 2025, the average mortgage interest rate for Australian owner-occupier borrowers was around *** percent. In comparison, the average investor interest rate was approximately *** percent. These rates refer to outstanding housing loans from banks and registered financial corporations. New loans financed in that month had even similar interest rates, at *** percent for owner-occupiers and *** percent for investors, respectively.

Deposit interest rate (%) in Australia was reported at 1.5583 % in 2019, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Australia - Deposit interest rate - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

These data are derived from returns submitted to the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) by banks authorised under the Banking Act 1959. APRA assumed responsibility for the supervision and regulation of banks on 1 July 1998. Data prior to that date were submitted to the RBA.

Up to and including June 2000, data are averages of weekly (Wednesday) figures. From July 2000, data are for the last business day of every month. Up to and including March 2002, banks submitted Form D (Statement of Liabilities and Assets on the Australian Books). In March 2002, APRA implemented new reporting forms for banks. The data, dating from April 2002, are derived from ARF 320.0 Statement of Financial Position (Domestic Books).

ARF 320.0 covers the domestic books of the licensed bank and is an unconsolidated report of the Australian bank’s operations/transactions that are booked or recorded inside Australia (with Australian residents and non-residents). ARF 320.0 does not consolidate Australian and offshore-controlled entities (thus offshore branches of the Australian bank are excluded). ARF 320.0 includes transactions of Australian-based offshore banking units of the licensed ADI but excludes transactions of overseas-based offshore banking units.

An Australian ‘resident’ is any individual, business or other organisation domiciled in Australia. Australian branches and subsidiaries of foreign businesses are regarded as Australian residents. A ‘non-resident’ is any individual, business or other organisation domiciled overseas. Foreign branches and subsidiaries of Australian businesses are regarded as non-residents.

‘Resident assets – notes and coins, and deposits due from RBA’ includes: Australian and foreign currency notes and coins; settlement account balances with the RBA and any other central bank; and any other funds held at the RBA.

‘Resident assets – bills receivables’ refers to assets arising from undertakings by customers to pay bills of exchange drawn by the banks. From April 2002, this item includes Australian dollar- and foreign currency-denominated (AUD equivalent) bill receivables. Prior to that date, foreign currency-denominated (AUD equivalent) bill receivables are included in ‘resident assets – other assets’.

‘Resident assets – loans and advances – residential’ include: owner-occupied and investment housing loans. ‘Resident assets – loans and advances – personal’ include: revolving credit; credit cards; personal lease financing; and other personal term loans. ‘Resident assets – loans and advances – commercial’ include: loans to community service organisations and non-profit institutions; loans to non-financial corporations; loans to general government; and loans to financial corporations. The loans and advances data are net of specific provisions for bad and doubtful debts, but gross of general provisions for bad and doubtful debts. Loans and advances exclude: bills of exchange, commercial paper, promissory notes, certificates of deposit, and some other debt securities. From April 2002, loans and advances refer to Australian dollar- and foreign currency-denominated (AUD equivalent) loans and advances. Prior to that date, foreign currency-denominated (AUD equivalent) loans and advances are included in ‘resident assets – other assets’.

‘Resident assets – other assets’ refers to all other resident assets not included in the above items. Prior to April 2002, this item includes: shares; bullion; past-due bills; accounts receivable; prepayments made; public sector securities; and all other resident assets other than accrued interest not yet receivable and intangible assets. From April 2002, this item includes: cash and liquid assets other than notes and coins and deposits due from RBA; trading and investment securities; fixed assets; intangible assets; other investments and all other assets not reported above. Note that, from April 2002, this item also includes unrealised gains on trading derivatives – prior to that date, these were excluded.

‘Resident assets – total’ refers to total assets on the Australian books of banks that are due from residents, and is the sum of the above items. ‘Resident assets – of which: denominated in foreign currency’ refers to the Australian dollar equivalent of ‘resident assets – total’ on the Australian books of banks that are denominated in foreign currency.

‘Non-resident assets – total’ refers to total assets on the Australian books of banks that are due from non-residents, though from April 2002, this series excludes the total amount due from banks’ overseas operations, which have been separately identified on the new reporting form. ‘Non-resident assets – of which: denominated in foreign currency’ refers to the Australian dollar equivalent of ‘non-resident assets – total’ on the Australian books of banks that are denominated in foreign currency.

‘Total assets’ is the sum of ‘resident assets – total’ and ‘non-resident assets – total’. From April 2002, this item also includes the ‘amount due from overseas operations’, which is identified separately from ‘resident assets – total’ and ‘non-resident assets – total’. The ‘amount due from overseas operations’ refers to domestic book on-balance sheet assets due from overseas operations of banks which have not been included in the above items.

Figures for ‘RBA foreign exchange transactions’, ‘Change in reserve assets due to valuation’ and ‘Total change in reserve assets’ refer to period totals. All other figures are end period values.

‘RBA foreign exchange transactions’, sales (-) and purchases (+), are reported according to the date on which settlement takes place (‘value date’).

‘Market’ transactions are foreign exchange transactions against the Australian dollar (excluding foreign exchange swaps) undertaken by the RBA with authorised foreign exchange dealers in Australia or banks overseas.

‘Australian Government’ transactions are the RBA’s foreign exchange transactions with the Australian Government.

‘Other outright’ transactions include the RBA’s outright transactions with other central banks, international financial institutions which are not intended to affect the exchange rate, clients other than the Australian Government, and interest received on holdings of foreign assets.

‘Swap deliveries’ are RBA foreign exchange swap transactions that settled during the period, excluding swaps conducted with the Federal Reserve as part of the USD Swap Facility. For the period January 1995 until February 1996 ‘Other outright’ includes ‘Swap deliveries’.

‘Official reserve assets’ comprise holdings of ‘Foreign exchange’, ‘Gold’ and ‘Other’ reserve assets, which comprise Special Drawing Rights, Reserve position in the IMF and the net value of swap transactions conducted with the Federal Reserve as part of the USD Swap Facility.

‘Outstanding forward foreign exchange commitments’ mainly reflect market values of the second leg of RBA swap transactions outstanding and, from time to time, outstanding RBA outright forward transactions. Prior to July 2002 contract values are reported.

The sum of ‘Gold’ and ‘Foreign exchange’ may differ from figures reported in the weekly Statement of Liabilities and Assets and the RBA’s Annual Report. From 1 July 1996, foreign currency securities sold under repurchase agreements are retained for accounting purposes as foreign currency investments in the RBA’s balance sheet, in accordance with standard accounting treatment. For the purpose of reporting foreign exchange reserves in this table, however, securities sold under repurchase agreements are excluded. In addition, from 20 December 2006, foreign exchange sales (-) and purchases (+) are reported for accounting purposes according to the date on which they are contracted (‘trade date’). For the purpose of reporting foreign exchange reserves in this table, however, foreign exchange transactions are reported according to the date on which settlement takes place (‘value date’).

Credit unions became authorised deposit-taking institutions (ADIs) under the Banking Act 1959 on 1 July 1999 when responsibility for their prudential regulation shifted from the States and Territories to the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA). Since 1 July 1999, credit unions have submitted monthly returns to APRA; prior to that date, they submitted returns to the Reserve Bank under the Financial Corporations Act 1974. In September 2001, APRA implemented new reporting forms for credit unions. From October 2001, data are derived from ARF 323.0: Statement of Financial Position (Licensed ADI). Since December 1999, series have only included data for credit unions with total assets greater than or equal to $50 million.

Selected assets:

‘Cash and liquid assets’ is composed of ‘Cash’, ‘Balances with ADIs’ and ‘Other’. None of these items include bills of exchange, bills receivable, remittances in transit or certificates of deposit.

‘Cash’ includes Australian and foreign currency notes and coins, gold coin, gold bullion, and gold certificates held as investments. It excludes loans repayable in gold bullion.

‘Balances with ADIs’ includes deposits at call with Australian resident banks and other ADIs and settlement account balances due from banks and other ADIs, incorporating receivables for unsettled sales of securities.

‘Other’ includes deposits at call with Registered Financial Corporations (RFCs) and other financial institutions, net claims on recognised clearing houses in Australia, securities purchased under agreements to resell, funds held with the Reserve Bank and other central banks, and settlement account balances due from the Reserve Bank, other central banks, RFCs and other financial institutions, incorporating receivables for unsettled sales of securities.

‘Government securities’, ‘ADI securities’, ‘Corporate paper’ and ‘Other securities’ include both trading and investment securities. Trading securities are recorded at net fair value. Investment securities are recorded at cost and adjusted for the amortisation of any premiums and discounts on purchase over the period of maturity.

‘Government securities’ include securities issued by the Australian, State, Territory and local governments and State and Territory central borrowing authority (CBA) securities.

‘ADI securities’ includes securities issued by banks and other ADIs, but not equity investments in parent, controlled or associated entities.

‘Other securities’ includes asset-backed securities, other debt securities and equity securities, other than those issued by ADIs, but not equity investments in parent, controlled or associated entities.

‘Residential’ includes both owner-occupied and investment housing loans to Australian households, net of specific provisions for doubtful debts.

‘Personal’ includes revolving credit for a purpose other than housing, credit card liabilities, lease financing net of unearned revenue, and other personal term loans to Australian households net of specific provisions for doubtful debts.

‘Commercial’ includes loans to public non-financial corporations, private trading corporations, private unincorporated businesses, community service organisations, Australian, State, Territory and local governments, ADIs and other financial institutions, net of specific provisions for doubtful debts. Loans to ADIs and other financial institutions includes loans to the Reserve Bank and other central banks, banks, other ADIs, RFCs, central borrowing authorities, fund managers, stockbrokers, insurance brokers, securitisers, mortgage, fixed interest and equity unit trusts and other financial intermediaries.

Selected Liabilities:

‘Borrowings from ADIs’ includes settlement account balances due to ADIs and both variable and fixed interest rate short-term loans from ADIs. A loan is reported as short-term if its residual term to maturity is one year or less.

‘Deposits’ includes retail transaction call deposit accounts held by households, all other transaction call deposit accounts held by entities other than households, deposits from resident banks, resident non-bank financial institutions and intermediaries such as merchant banks, vostro balances from banks and non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs), the Australian-dollar equivalent of foreign currency deposits, deposits from controlled and associated entities, retail non-transaction call deposit accounts held by households, all other non-transaction deposit call accounts held by entities other than households, term deposits, certificates of deposit and other forms of deposits.

‘Other’ liabilities includes settlement account balances due to RFCs and other financial institutions, securities sold under agreements to repurchase, promissory notes or commercial paper with a residual term to maturity of one year or less, other debt securities with a residual term of one year or less, variable interest rate short-term loans from counterparties other than ADIs, fixed interest rate short-term loans from counterparties other than ADIs, debt securities with a residual term to maturity of more than one year, variable and fixed interest rate loans and borrowings from Australian residents with a residual term to maturity of more than one year, interest accrued but not yet paid, interest received but not yet earned, unrealised losses on trading derivatives, items in suspense and other liabilities not separately identified above. A loan is reported as short-term if its residual term to maturity is one year or less. ‘Other’ liabilities do not include amounts due to clearing houses.

The yield on Australia 10Y Bond Yield rose to 4.38% on July 14, 2025, marking a 0.05 percentage point increase from the previous session. Over the past month, the yield has edged up by 0.13 points and is 0.04 points higher than a year ago, according to over-the-counter interbank yield quotes for this government bond maturity. Australia 10-Year Government Bond Yield - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on July of 2025.

Building societies became authorised deposit-taking institutions (ADIs) under the Banking Act 1959 on 1 July 1999 when responsibility for their prudential regulation shifted from the States and Territories to the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA). Since 1 July 1999, building societies have submitted monthly returns to APRA; prior to that date, they submitted returns to the Reserve Bank under the Financial Corporations Act 1974. In September 2001, APRA implemented new reporting forms for building societies. From October 2001, data are derived from ARF 323.0: Statement of Financial Position (Licensed ADI). Since December 1999, series have only included data for building societies with total assets greater than or equal to $50 million.

Selected assets:

‘Cash and liquid assets’ is composed of ‘Cash’, ‘Balances with ADIs’ and ‘Other’. None of these items include bills of exchange, bills receivable, remittances in transit or certificates of deposit.

‘Cash’ includes Australian and foreign currency notes and coins, gold coin, gold bullion, and gold certificates held as investments. It excludes loans repayable in gold bullion.

‘Balances with ADIs’ includes deposits at call with Australian resident banks and other ADIs and settlement account balances due from banks and other ADIs, incorporating receivables for unsettled sales of securities.

‘Other’ includes deposits at call with Registered Financial Corporations (RFCs) and other financial institutions, net claims on recognised clearing houses in Australia, securities purchased under agreements to resell, funds held with the Reserve Bank and other central banks, and settlement account balances due from the Reserve Bank, other central banks, RFCs and other financial institutions, incorporating receivables for unsettled sales of securities.

‘Government securities’, ‘ADI securities’, ‘Corporate paper’ and ‘Other securities’ include both trading and investment securities. Trading securities are recorded at net fair value. Investment securities are recorded at cost and adjusted for the amortisation of any premiums and discounts on purchase over the period of maturity.

‘Government securities’ include securities issued by the Australian, State, Territory and local governments and State and Territory central borrowing authority (CBA) securities.

‘ADI securities’ includes securities issued by banks and other ADIs, but not equity investments in parent, controlled or associated entities.

‘Other securities’ includes asset-backed securities, other debt securities and equity securities, other than those issued by ADIs, but not equity investments in parent, controlled or associated entities.

‘Residential’ includes both owner-occupied and investment housing loans to Australian households, net of specific provisions for doubtful debts.

‘Personal’ includes revolving credit for a purpose other than housing, credit card liabilities, lease financing net of unearned revenue, and other personal term loans to Australian households net of specific provisions for doubtful debts.

‘Commercial’ includes loans to public non-financial corporations, private trading corporations, private unincorporated businesses, community service organisations, Australian, State, Territory and local governments, ADIs and other financial institutions, net of specific provisions for doubtful debts. Loans to ADIs and other financial institutions includes loans to the Reserve Bank and other central banks, banks, other ADIs, RFCs, central borrowing authorities, fund managers, stockbrokers, insurance brokers, securitisers, mortgage, fixed interest and equity unit trusts and other financial intermediaries.

Selected Liabilities:

‘Borrowings from ADIs’ includes settlement account balances due to ADIs and both variable and fixed interest rate short-term loans from ADIs. A loan is reported as short-term if its residual term to maturity is one year or less.

‘Deposits’ includes retail transaction call deposit accounts held by households, all other transaction call deposit accounts held by entities other than households, deposits from resident banks, resident non-bank financial institutions and intermediaries such as merchant banks, vostro balances from banks and non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs), the Australian-dollar equivalent of foreign currency deposits, deposits from controlled and associated entities, retail non-transaction call deposit accounts held by households, all other non-transaction deposit call accounts held by entities other than households, term deposits, certificates of deposit and other forms of deposits.

‘Other’ liabilities includes settlement account balances due to RFCs and other financial institutions, securities sold under agreements to repurchase, promissory notes or commercial paper with a residual term to maturity of one year or less, other debt securities with a residual term of one year or less, variable interest rate short-term loans from counterparties other than ADIs, fixed interest rate short-term loans from counterparties other than ADIs, debt securities with a residual term to maturity of more than one year, variable and fixed interest rate loans and borrowings from Australian residents with a residual term to maturity of more than one year, interest accrued but not yet paid, interest received but not yet earned, unrealised losses on trading derivatives, items in suspense and other liabilities not separately identified above. A loan is reported as short-term if its residual term to maturity is one year or less. ‘Other’ liabilities do not include amounts due to clearing houses.

Liabilities:
:Capital and Reserve Bank Reserve Fund-C/ whereby the Reserve Bank Reserve Fund (RBRF) is a general reserve. RBRF provides for potential losses arising from events which are contingent and non-foreseeable, mainly those which arise from movements in market values of the RBA-C/s holdings of Australian dollar and foreign securities as well as from fraud and other non- insured losses or events. On 1 July 2001 the amount of $3 323 million (Contingencies and General Purpose Reserve) was transferred from :Other liabilities-C/ to :Capital and Reserve Bank Reserve Fund-C/.

Prior to July 1996 the series :Exchange settlement balances-C/ primarily reflected deposits of Australian banks, comprising non-callable deposits and, prior to September 1988, Statutory Reserve Deposits and deposits by savings banks. The Statutory Reserve Deposit requirement on trading banks was removed in 1988 and the non-callable deposit requirement was abolished in July 1999. The Bank commenced paying interest on Exchange settlement balances in July 1996.

:RB term deposits-C/ are short-term deposits of institutions holding an Exchange Settlement Account and authorised deposit-taking institutions that are members of RITS.:Deposits of overseas institutions-C/ and :Governments and instrumentalities-C/ include the IMF and central banks.

:Other liabilities-C/ include provisions, current year profit/loss, the counterpart obligation arising from transactions in repurchase agreements, and obligations arising from the outright purchase of securities which have been contracted but not yet settled.

Assets:
:Gold and foreign exchange-C/ assets include foreign exchange holdings invested in government securities and bank deposits, market value of open forward foreign exchange contracts and IMF Special Drawing Rights. Securities sold but contracted for purchase under repurchase agreements are retained on the balance sheet in this category.

:Clearing items-C/ include cheques and bills of other banks, bills receivable and remittances in transit. They may also include amounts owed to the Bank for overnight clearances of financial transactions.

:Australian dollar securities-C/ include Commonwealth Government Securities (CGS) and securities issued by central borrowing authorities of state and territory governments. Securities sold but contracted for purchase under sell repurchase agreements are retained on the balance sheet in this category. Also included are Australian dollar securities purchased but contracted for sale under buy repurchase agreements, being: eligible bank bills, certificates of deposit and debt securities of ADIs; Australian dollar- denominated securities issued by certain foreign governments, foreign government agencies and by highly rated supranational organisations; and selected Australian dollar domestic residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed commercial paper and corporate securities.

:Other assets-C/ include the Bank-C/s holdings of Australian notes and coins, Bank premises and other durable assets, and the Bank-C/s shareholding in the Bank for International Settlements.

These data are derived from returns submitted to the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) by banks authorised under the Banking Act 1959. APRA assumed responsibility for the supervision …Show full descriptionThese data are derived from returns submitted to the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) by banks authorised under the Banking Act 1959. APRA assumed responsibility for the supervision and regulation of banks on 1 July 1998. Data prior to that date were submitted to the RBA. Prior to March 2002, banks reported quarterly to APRA on the Off-balance Sheet Business Return. From that date until the end of 2007, banks reported quarterly on ARF 112.2: Capital Adequacy – Off-balance Sheet Business. Following the introduction of a new capital framework (Basel II) on 1 January 2008, the data between March 2008 and March 2011 were reported on either ARF 112.2: Capital Adequacy – Off-balance Sheet Business, ARF 112.2A: Standardised Credit Risk – Off-balance Sheet Exposures, or ARF 118.0: Off-balance Sheet Business, depending on whether the bank had been approved by APRA to use a Basel II advanced approach to credit risk. Following the revocation of Australian Prudential Standard APS150 on 30 June 2011, banks using the advanced approach to credit risk have been required to report data with reference to the Basel II framework. From June 2011, data are reported on ARF 112.2A: Standardised Credit Risk – Off-balance Sheet Exposures, ARF 118.0: Off-balance Sheet Business, or ARF 118.1: Other Off-balance Sheet Exposures, depending on whether the bank has been approved by APRA to use a Basel II advanced approach to credit risk. ‘Consolidated group’, for a locally incorporated bank, refers to the global operations of the bank and its subsidiaries, excluding those involved in insurance, funds management/trustee and non-financial business. For a foreign bank authorised to operate in Australia as a branch, the data relate to the operations of the branch only. Figures are as at the last business day of the quarter and refer to the principal amount (face value) of the transaction. From March 2002, banks are required to report separately activity in the banking and trading books for interest rate contracts, foreign exchange contracts, and other derivative contracts. Banking and trading book figures are added to produce the data reported in the table. Before March 2002, exposures were netted across the banking and trading books (except credit derivatives). This has necessitated a break in the series. ‘Direct credit substitutes’ covers any irrevocable obligations that carry the same credit risk as a direct extension of credit. This includes the issue of guarantees, confirmation of letters of credit, standby letters of credit serving as financial guarantees for loans, securities and any other financial liabilities, and certain bills endorsed under bill endorsement lines. ‘Direct credit substitutes’ does not include credit derivatives, which are shown separately. ‘Trade- and performance-related items’ covers contingent liabilities arising from trade-related obligations secured against an underlying shipment of goods and any irrevocable obligations to make a payment to a third party if a counterparty fails to perform a contractual non-monetary obligation. This includes documentary letters of credit issued, acceptances on trade bills, shipping guarantees issued, issue of performance bonds, bid bonds, warranties, indemnities, standby letters of credit in relation to a non-monetary obligation of a counterparty under a particular transaction, and any other trade- and performance-related items. ‘Commitments and other non-market-related items’ includes lending of securities or posting of securities as collateral, assets sold with recourse, forward asset purchases, partly paid shares and securities, placements of forward deposits, underwriting facilities, standby lines of credit, redraw facilities, undrawn credit card facilities, and all other non-market-related off-balance sheet items. ‘Interest rate contracts – OTC forwards’ covers single currency over-the-counter interest rate forwards including forward rate agreements. ‘Interest rate contracts – OTC swaps’ covers single currency over-the-counter interest rate swaps. ‘Interest rate contracts – Other’ covers other single currency over-the-counter and exchange-traded interest rate contracts including interest rate options written and purchased. ‘Foreign exchange contracts – OTC forwards’ covers over-the-counter foreign exchange forwards including foreign exchange forward contracts involving gold. ‘Foreign exchange contracts – OTC swaps’ covers over-the-counter foreign exchange swaps including cross currency interest rate swaps and foreign exchange swap contracts involving gold. ‘Foreign exchange contracts – Other’ covers other over-the-counter and exchange-traded foreign exchange contracts including other foreign exchange contracts involving gold. ‘Credit derivatives’ covers all credit derivatives contracts, both where protection is purchased and protection is sold. Banks were required to report credit derivatives exposure to APRA from June 2000 following a change to the Off-balance Sheet Business Return. This has necessitated a break in the series. ‘Other off-balance sheet business’ covers equity contracts including written and purchased options positions, derivatives based on gold and precious metals, base metals, energy and other commodities, and all other derivative activity.