To collect and disseminate data on companies, the Banque de France has two instruments at its disposal, the FIBEN company database and the Central Credit Register.

The FIBEN company database contains descriptive data (ratings, legal proceedings, key events, etc.) on over 5 millions entities, of which 250,000 rated companies on the basis of tax or consolidated statements or accounting records.

The Central Credit Register collects data on all loans above EUR 25,000 extended by credit institutions to their clients, by distinguishing between drawn loans and undrawn loans.

The dissemination of information takes place as follo

• Information on loans to companies is published every month on the basis of the data contained in the Central Credit Register, by sector of activity, company size, legal category, category of recipient (established in France or abroad) and type of loan. The information is released with a one month lag.
• Payment periods are calculated every year by sector of activity and company size using balance sheet data.
• Monthly business failure statistics are released with a two month lag.
• The structure and performance of companies in France is reviewed every year on the basis of the structural and financial ratios of their balance sheets and profit and loss accounts. Each year, the performance of company ratings is also examined.
• Thanks to the international harmonised database BACH of the European Committee of Central Balance Sheet Data Offices (ECCBSO), it is possible to make comparisons of company accounts across Europe.