The statistics on the banks' profit and loss accounts have been released on an annual basis since 1968. This involves the evaluation of the profits and losses calculated from the annual accounts which the banks must submit to the Bundesbank pursuant to section 26 of the Banking Act (Kreditwesengesetz).

Monthly turnover data are available for industry and the retail trade sector. Quarterly time series are published for the services sector. The results for the retail trade are also included in the calculation of private consumption.

The monetary policy strategy of the Eurosystem attaches great importance to monetary developments.