What are Banque de France statistics used for?

Understanding the financing of the economy

• measure banks’ financial resources and understand how they use them to finance a country’s economy ; 
• monitor the cost of bank loans granted, for example, to households purchasing homes or businesses investing, as well as the interest rates paid on current and savings accounts ; 
• track how ECB monetary policy decisions are transmitted to the real economy.

Monitoring and understanding how France interacts with the rest of the world

• the balance of payments records all economic and financial transactions between an economy and the rest of the world during a given period, including trade, investment income, and foreign direct investment ;
• the net international investment position (NIIP) measures the net assets or liabilities of French residents vis-à-vis the rest of the world.

Assessing the financial health of companies

Banque de France business statistics make it possible to assess the financial health of French companies, monitor business failures and financing conditions, and support credit risk management. 

They also contribute to the development of rating models used for monetary policy purposes and support the provision of free financial assessments to SMEs.

Anticipating economic developments

Every month, Banque de France teams interview business leaders throughout mainland France in the manufacturing, market-services and construction sectors. 

This qualitative information is analysed by sector and region, enabling the Banque de France to rapidly detect changes in economic conditions and improve short-term growth forecasts. 

• provides a quarterly snapshot of wage increases included in collective agreements signed at sectoral and company level ; 
• offers information on the underlying trend in actual wage growth, helping assess inflationary pressures.