Bank of Canada balance sheet (Sept 30, 2021)

Summary#

Bank of Canada published its Statement of financial position as at September 30, 2021 (unaudited). The statement is a one-page snapshot showing the Bank held total assets and total liabilities and equity of $496,690.8 million on September 30, 2021.

What it does#

• Publishes a balance sheet (unaudited) for the Bank of Canada as of September 30, 2021.
• Shows major asset categories, including:
  • Investments: $458,195.8 million (largest item on the asset side).
  • Securities purchased under resale agreements: $29,604.2 million.
  • Cash and foreign deposits: $7.3 million.
  • Derivatives — indemnity agreements with the Government of Canada (asset side): $8,019.2 million.
• Shows major liabilities, including:
  • Bank notes in circulation: $111,850.4 million.
  • Deposits (total): $355,737.9 million.
  • Securities sold under repurchase agreements: $27,503.1 million.
  • Total liabilities: $496,100.7 million.
• Shows equity items and totals:
  • Total equity: $590.1 million (including share capital $5.0 million and statutory and special reserves $125.0 million).
• The statement is signed by Coralia Bulhoes, Chief Financial Officer, and Tiff Macklem, Governor, on October 27, 2021.

Who's affected#

• General public and taxpayers who want transparency about Canada’s central bank.
• Economists, market analysts and journalists who track the size and composition of the Bank’s balance sheet.
• Government and policy watchers who monitor the Bank’s holdings and liabilities.
• It is not a regulation or new policy. It’s simply a published financial report.

Why it matters#

• The statement shows the scale of the Bank’s balance sheet during the pandemic period. Key lines (large holdings of Government of Canada bonds and other investments, and large deposits) reflect its role in markets and monetary operations.
• That scale affects financial markets, government financing and public understanding of how the central bank conducts operations. The report provides a transparent reference for anyone checking how the Bank’s assets and liabilities were positioned on September 30, 2021.