Bank of England Balance Sheet Sees Modest Increase in Sterling Reserves

The Bank of England's latest weekly balance sheet shows an increase in sterling reserve balances and foreign currency assets, according to data released for the week ending September 23, 2026. Reserve balances at the central bank rose to £642,336 million from £638,012 million in the previous week.

Foreign currency public securities issued climbed to £22,569 million, while foreign currency reserve assets increased to £22,842 million, both up from the prior week. The data also shows that short-term repo operations grew to £125,390 million, with the contingent term repo facility remaining unused in the Bank's latest balance sheet.

The loan to the Asset Purchase Facility and its SME-linked Term Funding Scheme position remained unchanged from the previous week. These changes indicate limited movement in the Bank's overall balance sheet, with the main alterations concentrated in reserve balances, short-term market operations, and foreign currency holdings.