France foreign currency reserves: deposits
France foreign currency reserves: deposits stood at 225 EUR million in Aug 2026, according to Banque de France – Webstat (webstat.banque-france.fr). It is one of the indicators in the Official reserve assets table (Value · Monthly), with a complete series running from Jan 2012 to Aug 2026. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Official reserve assets table
| Indicator | 09-2026 | 08-2026 | 07-2026 | 06-2026 | 05-2026 | 04-2026 | 03-2026 | 02-2026 | 01-2026 | 12-2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Official reserve assets | 365,411 | 375,941 | 351,781 | 352,266 | 379,021 | 384,016 | 387,349 | 419,283 | 407,209 | 360,830 | |
| Foreign currency reserves | 29,994 | 29,152 | 29,102 | 29,298 | 28,875 | 28,764 | 29,016 | 28,720 | 28,500 | 28,448 | |
| Currency and deposits | 225 | 291 | 170 | 374 | 349 | 366 | 255 | 476 | 295 |
Understanding france foreign currency reserves: deposits
Currency and deposits measure the most liquid segment of foreign exchange holdings, comprising physical foreign banknotes and funds placed on demand or short-notice deposit with foreign central banks, the Bank for International Settlements, and other approved international financial institutions. This series excludes illiquid investments and negotiable securities, focusing entirely on cash equivalents that can be mobilized instantly for foreign exchange intervention. Unlike debt securities, deposits involve direct counterparty credit exposure to specific financial institutions rather than tradable market instruments.
When analyzing this series, observe that balances often experience sharp intra-month swings driven by liquidity management operations, foreign currency loan disbursements, and imminent debt settlements. Seasonality can appear around quarter-end dates when financial institutions adjust cash holdings for regulatory reporting. Comparing month-on-month changes helps track immediate liquidity buffers, but analysts must cross-reference deposit levels with debt security holdings to evaluate overall portfolio strategy. Revisions are common in early estimates due to delayed bank reconciliation statements.
Frequently asked questions
- Where are these foreign currency deposits typically held?
- They are placed with foreign central banks, international monetary institutions, and approved commercial banks abroad.
- Why are deposits considered more liquid than debt securities?
- Deposits can be withdrawn immediately on demand without trading on secondary markets, avoiding potential market price discounts.
- Do these deposits earn interest?
- Yes, many eligible central bank and institutional deposits accrue interest based on prevailing international short-term benchmark rates.