Tag Archives: 1.) SNB Press Releases

In the second quarter of 2021, the current account surplus amounted to almost CHF 11 billion, CHF 7 billion higher than in the same quarter of 2020. The rise was mainly attributable to a higher receipts surplus in goods trade. This was counteracted by primary income, where the  expenses surplus increased compared to the same quarter in 2020 due to the fact that, in direct investment, expenses rose more strongly than receipts. In the financial account, reported...

Financial and real estate wealth of households increases The Swiss National Bank is today publishing data on Q4 2020 as part of the financial accounts. Thus, household wealth data are now also available for the full year. Overall, financial assets held by households increased by CHF 108 billion to CHF 2,851 billion (up 3.9%) in 2020. High capital losses in Q1 2020 due to falling stock market prices were followed by a recovery during the remainder of the year. Both...

With effect from 1 May 2021, Astrid Frey will take on the function of Swiss National Bank delegate for regional economic relations for the Central Switzerland region. She succeedsGregor Bäurle, who assumed the posit ion of Head of the SNB’s Regional Economic Relations unit on 1 January 2021. After concluding her studies at the University of St. Gallen, Astrid Frei worked as an economist at Bank Sarasin & Cie, after which she joined the KOF Swiss Economic...

The Swiss National Bank is recalling its eighth-series banknotes as of 30 April 2021. From this date on, the banknotes from the eighth series lose their status as legal tender and can no longer be used for payment purposes. This does not apply to the public cash offices of the Confederation (SBB/CFF, Swiss Post), which will continue to accept eighth-series banknotes until 30 October 2021. Due to the revocation of the statutory exchange period on 1 January 2020, the...

In view of the sustained improvements in U.S. dollar funding conditions and low demand at recent U.S. dollar liquidity-providing operations, the Bank of England, the Bank of Japan, the European Central Bank and the Swiss National Bank, in consultation with the Federal Reserve, have jointly decided to discontinue offering dollar liquidity at the 84-day maturity. This operational change will be effective as of 1 July 2021. The auction schedule until 30 June 2021, as...

Andréa M. Maechler / Thomas Moser, Member of the Governing Board / Alternate Member of the Governing Board In many ways, the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is unprecedented. The economic shock has been global and massive, affecting both economic supply and demand simultaneously. To mitigate the economic impact, the crisis response has had to be swift and innovative – including in Switzerland. The Swiss National Bank has played an important role here, preventing an...

Key developments in 2020 The current account surplus in 2020 was CHF 27 billion, down CHF 22 billion on the previous year. This decline was particularly due to the lower receipts surpluses in trade in goods and services. In the case of goods, the decline in receipts – with expenses remaining unchanged – caused the balance to decrease by CHF 11 billion to CHF 64 billion. While both receipts and expenses were substantially lower in the cyclically sensitive goods trade...

The increasing volatility of SNB Earnings Annual results are not really definite. Given that the SNB accumulates foreign currencies with interventions, they have huge swings. But the SNB may lose 50 billion in one year and win 60 billion in the next year or vice verse. Low Inflation, Crashes and Central Bank Money Printing The crisis caused by the Covid19 virus,is a typical crisis with low inflation (at least for now). During such a crisis, central bank money...

Confederation and cantons to receive distribution of CHF 4 billion According to provisional calculations, the Swiss National Ban k will report a profit in the order of CHF 21 billion for the 2020 financial year. The profit on foreign currency posi ti ons amounted to CHF 13 billion. A valuation gain of CHF 7 billion was recorded on gold holdings. The net r esult on Swiss franc posit ions amounted to over CHF 1 billion. The allocation to the provisions for currency...

In the third quarter of 2020, the current account surplus amounted to CHF 9 billion, CHF 3 billion less than in the same quarter of 2019. This decline was particularly due to the lower receipts surplus in trade in goods and services. In the case of the goods trade, the decline was attributable to gold trading. This decrease was curbed by the expenses surplus for primary and secondary income, which decreased compared to Q3 2019. In the financial account, reported...