French banks cross-border claims vis-à-vis non-banks
French banks cross-border claims vis-à-vis non-banks stood at 2,146,854 USD million in Q1 2026, according to BIS – consolidated banking statistics (WS_CBS_PUB), reported by Banque de France. It is one of the indicators in the International positions of French banks table (Value · Quarterly), with a complete series running from Q4 1977 to Q1 2026. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the International positions of French banks table
| Indicator | Q1-2026 | Q4-2025 | Q3-2025 | Q2-2025 | Q1-2025 | Q4-2024 | Q3-2024 | Q2-2024 | Q1-2024 | Q4-2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cross-border claims, all sectors | 6,368,425 | 6,151,465 | 6,123,577 | 6,094,033 | 5,459,730 | 5,129,884 | 5,623,613 | 5,224,161 | 5,289,979 | 5,176,021 | |
| Vis-à-vis non-bank sectors | 2,146,854 | 2,162,338 | 2,175,122 | 2,186,490 | 1,996,713 | 1,704,007 | 1,895,343 | 1,690,463 | 1,685,669 | 1,597,496 | |
| Vis-à-vis banks | 2,423,332 | 2,297,599 | 2,311,854 | 2,251,691 | 2,002,161 | 1,876,997 | 2,118,289 | 2,001,219 | 2,073,699 | 2,042,900 |
Understanding french banks cross-border claims vis-à-vis non-banks
Cross-border financial claims held against foreign non-bank sectors measure international lending directed toward governments, non-bank financial corporations, and non-financial enterprises. This series isolates credit extended outside the banking system, excluding positions vis-à-vis foreign commercial or central banks. Covered instruments include syndicated loans to foreign corporations, holdings of sovereign debt securities, and trade financing provided to commercial entities. The metric serves as an indicator of direct exposure to foreign real economies and non-bank financial markets.
Evaluating this segment requires focusing on longer-term structural credit trends rather than the short-term volatility typical of interbank markets. Exchange rate movements significantly impact the reported values, necessitating careful currency adjustment during analysis. Comparing this measure with interbank claims reveals the balance between wholesale financial intermediation and direct lending to the real economy. Revisions occur when reporting entities refine their sector classification or when new institutions join the reporting population.
Frequently asked questions
- Which sectors are included under non-bank classifications?
- Governments, non-bank financial intermediaries, and non-financial corporations are included.
- How does this series differ from total cross-border claims?
- This series excludes claims on foreign banks, focusing exclusively on non-bank entities.
- Are sovereign debt holdings captured here?
- Yes, cross-border claims on foreign governments are a key component of the non-bank sector total.