Balances with central banks only include those balances that are daily due. Balances that are not due daily are shown under loans and advances to credit institutions.

Balances with central banks also serve to satisfy the minimum reserve requirements. On the balance sheet date, the daily due minimum reserve held amounted to EUR 494,117 thousand (2007: EUR 619,047 thousand).

The debt certificates of public entities that qualify for refinancing at central banks are not shown in this item, but instead under financial investments – depending on their assessment category.