Covered bonds

To mitigate the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on the Swedish economy, the Riksbank increased its purchases of securities from March 2020 until 31 December 2021 with a total envelope of SEK 700 billion, in addition to the purchases planned prior to the pandemic. The purpose of the purchases was to keep general interest rates low and facilitate credit supply. The purchases in 2022 were aimed at compensating for securities that matured. As of 2023, no further purchases will be made.

The Riksbank’s purchases concerned covered bonds (mortgage bonds) issued in Swedish kronor by Swedish credit institutions with maturities of more than one year.

Like the purchases of government bonds, the purchases of covered bonds was made on the secondary market. Participants that were allowed in these auctions were the Riksbank’s monetary policy counterparties. More detailed information can be found in the documents under “Related content” below.  

The first purchase of covered bonds was made on 25 March 2020.

Holdings of covered bonds

Here we present the Riksbank’s total holdings of covered bonds. The holdings are the net total of covered bonds purchased, which is to say the total sum of bonds purchased, minus bonds that have fallen due at that point in time. The holdings are reported in nominal terms and are based on the transaction date for the Riksbank's purchase of the bonds.

See also: List of transactions for purchases of covered bonds

Holdings of covered bonds

Figure: Holdings of covered bonds

The diagram shows the Riksbank’s total holdings of covered bonds within the scope of the Riksbank’s programme for asset purchases. The figures are stated in SEK billions. Source: Sveriges Riksbank.

Purchases of covered bonds

Here, we present the Riksbank’s total purchases of covered bonds. By 31 December 2022, the Riksbank had purchased corporate bonds for SEK 465 billion

Purchases of covered bonds

Figure: Purchases of covered bonds

The diagram shows the Riksbank's total purchases of covered bonds at each respective point in time since the measure was initiated in March 2020. The figures are stated in SEK billions. Source: Sveriges Riksbank.

The Riksbank’s total holdings of securities

The page Securities holdings in SEK shows the Riksbank’s total holdings of securities.

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Updated 01/11/2024