Debt securities, Q1 2002

During the first quarter 2002 the total amount of bond issues in Norway was NOK 35.8 billion. Domestic bond debt at 31 March 2002 was NOK 440.4 billion. This is an increase in outstanding debt of NOK 125 billion, or 3 per cent compared with the same period the year before. The total amount of issues increased by NOK 14 billion, or 64.4 per cent from March last year. Central government issued NOK 4 billion worth of bonds during this year and Commercial banks issued NOK 7.8 billion. Savings banks issued of NOK 6.7 billion worth of bonds. Private companies issued NOK 9.8 billion worth of bonds. These are the largest bond lenders with 68 per cent of the total amount of debt at 31 March 2002.

Issues of commercial papers increased by 3 per cent

Issues of commercial papers increased by NOK 2.6 billion or 3 per cent compared with the same period last year. During the first quarter 2002 the total amount of commercial paper issues in Norway was NOK 89 billion. In comparison the issues of commercial papers at the same period last year was NOK 86.4 billion. Domestic debt at the end of March 2002 was NOK 131.3 billion compared with NOK 135.5 billion in the same period 2001. Savings banks issued NOK 34.1 billion worth of bonds which is 26 per cent of the total amount of commercial paper issues. Central government issued NOK 36.5 billion, while commercial banks issued NOK 21.8 billion worth of commercial papers.

Fewer issues abroad in NOK and foreign currency

Statistics on issues of bonds and commercial papers offered abroad in NOK and foreign currency are obtained from The Norwegian Central Bank. From the first quarter 2001 special ECP and USCP programs are included.

The statistics show that issues during the first quarter 2002 was NOK 81.5 billion. Mortgage companies are the largest borrowers in the foreign market, with NOK 60.7 billion, 74.4 per cent of the total issue volume.

Tables:

• Table 1 Commercial papers issued in Norway. 1. quarter 2001 and 2002. Nominal value. Million kroner
• Table 2 Domestic bond debts. 1. quarter 2001-1. quarter 2002. Nominal value. Million kroner
• Table 3 Bonds issued in Norway. 1. quarter 2001 and 2002. Nominal value. Million kroner
• Table 4 Domestic bond debts. 1. quarter 2001-1. quarter 2002. Nominal value. Million kroner
• Table 5 Effective interest rates on bonds. 1. quarter 2001 and 2002. Per cent p.a.
• Table 7 Issues of bonds and commercial papers by Norwegians abroud. 1. quarter 2001 and 2002. Million Norwegian kroner