Function of assets

The assets of the Swiss National Bank (SNB) fulfil important monetary policy functions. They consist largely of foreign currency assets, gold and, to a lesser extent, financial assets in Swiss francs. Their size and composition are determined by the established monetary order and the requirements of monetary policy. Under art. 5 para. 2 of the National Bank Act (NBA), the SNB is responsible for managing the currency reserves, part of which must be held in the form of gold (art. 99 para. 3 Federal Constitution). The currency reserves also include international payment instruments and the reserve position in the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The SNB requires currency reserves to ensure that it has room for manoeuvre in its monetary policy at all times. These reserves serve to build confidence, and to prevent and overcome potential crises. The level of the currency reserves is largely dictated by the implementation of monetary policy.

Breakdown of assets

The SNB's assets currently consist almost exclusively of currency reserves. In addition, a Swiss franc bond portfolio is held, amounting to CHF 4 billion. The investment structure is published on the Foreign exchange reserves and Swiss franc bond investments page.

Debtor categories and instruments

The bond portfolios in the foreign exchange reserves contain government and quasi-government bonds as well as bonds issued by supranational organisations, local authorities, financial institutions (mainly covered bonds and comparable securities) and other companies. The equity portfolios in the foreign exchange reserves comprise of shares of mid-cap and large-cap companies in advanced economies and, to a lesser extent, shares of small-cap companies, as well as shares of companies in emerging economies.The SNB does not engage in equity selection; it only invests passively. Thus, equities are managed according to a set of rules based on a strategic benchmark comprising a combination of equity indices in various markets and currencies.