The underlying external position of the economy at the end of the second quarter of 2014
The Central Bank of Iceland has published on its website the preliminary statistics for the balance of payments in the second quarter of 2014, and for the external position at the end of the quarter.
For further information, the Bank has simultaneously published an analysis of the underlying net external position of the economy. The assessment entails an estimation of the position that will result when the domestic and foreign assets of the deposit money banks in winding-up proceedings have been sold and the proceeds distributed to creditors. The settlement of the estates of several non-financial domestic firms currently being wound up is included as well (for further explanation, see Special Publication no. 9: Iceland’s underlying external position and balance of payments, published 18 March 2013).
The assessment of the assets of the deposit money banks (DMB) in winding-up proceedings is based on the book value of the assets according to winding-up committee estimates. The classification of creditors as domestic or foreign is based on underlying ownership of recognised claims according to claims registers. It should be noted that both the market value of the assets of the DMBs in winding-up proceedings and the proportional distribution of claims as domestic and foreign are highly uncertain. Factors such as the exchange rate used for settlement, the netting of debt, and the resolution of disputes on specific claims will ultimately determine the status of the estates and thereby the effect of their settlement on the external position of the economy.
See the press release here:
The underlying external position of the economy at the end of the second quarter of 2014 (pdf)
No. 30/2014
2 September 2014