Reserve Bank of Australia Annual Report 2011
Reserve Bank of Australia Annual Report 2011
Reserve Bank of Australia Annual Report 2011
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Liquidity Risk<br />
Liquidity risk is the risk that the RBA will not have the resources required at a particular time to meet its<br />
obligations to settle its financial liabilities. As the ultimate source <strong>of</strong> liquidity in <strong>Australia</strong>n dollars, the RBA<br />
has the powers and operational wherewithal to create liquidity in unlimited amounts in <strong>Australia</strong>n dollars at<br />
any time. A small component <strong>of</strong> the RBA’s liabilities is in foreign currencies, namely foreign sale repurchase<br />
agreements.<br />
Liquidity risk is also associated with financial assets to the extent that the RBA may in extraordinary<br />
circumstances be forced to sell a financial asset at a price which is less than its fair value. The RBA manages this<br />
risk by holding a diversified portfolio <strong>of</strong> highly liquid domestic and foreign assets.<br />
The maturity analysis table (over page) is based on the RBA’s contracted portfolio as reported in the RBA’s<br />
balance sheet. All financial instruments are shown at their remaining term to maturity, which is equivalent to<br />
the repricing period. Other liabilities include amounts outstanding under sale repurchase agreements. Foreign<br />
currency swaps reflect the gross settlement amount <strong>of</strong> the RBA’s outstanding foreign currency swap positions.<br />
102 <strong>Reserve</strong> bank <strong>of</strong> <strong>Australia</strong>