What does a bank's balance sheet show?

A bank's balance sheet provides a snapshot of its financial position at a specific point in time, detailing the bank's assets, liabilities, and equity. This information is crucial for understanding the bank's liquidity, solvency, and overall financial health.

Assets represent what the bank owns and includes cash, loans, and securities. Liabilities are obligations the bank owes to others, such as deposits and borrowed funds. The equity section indicates the residual interest in the assets of the bank after deducting liabilities, essentially reflecting the net worth of the institution.

This structure allows stakeholders, including investors and regulators, to analyze the bank's financial stability and operational efficacy. The balance sheet differs from an income statement, which shows profits over a fiscal year, or a cash flow statement, which details transactions within a certain period. Interest rates on loans do not appear on the balance sheet but are relevant in the context of profitability and earning revenue from loans.