The South African Reserve Bank published its monthly statement of assets and liabilities as at 31 May 2026, showing total assets and liabilities of ZAR 1.300 trillion, down ZAR 51.2 billion from April. The decline was concentrated in gold and foreign assets, which fell ZAR 51.0 billion to ZAR 1.242 trillion. Within that total, foreign exchange reserves excluding special drawing rights (SDRs) fell ZAR 29.8 billion, gold fell ZAR 17.3 billion, and SDR holdings fell ZAR 4.0 billion. Domestic assets were broadly stable, with holdings of South African government securities up ZAR 1.1 billion and utilisation of cash reserves at ZAR 31.9 million. On the liability side, the gold and foreign exchange contingency reserve fell ZAR 43.2 billion, notes and coin in circulation declined ZAR 3.8 billion, and the South African government’s SDR deposit account declined ZAR 3.8 billion, while deposits from banks rose ZAR 1.3 billion and other deposits rose ZAR 4.6 billion. The reported rand price per fine ounce fell to ZAR 73,464.50 from ZAR 77,747.40, while gold holdings were broadly unchanged at 4,035,368 fine ounces.
South African Reserve Bank2026-06-05
South African Reserve Bank reports May balance sheet down ZAR 51.2 billion as gold and foreign assets decline
The South African Reserve Bank published its monthly statement of assets and liabilities as at 31 May 2026, reporting total assets and liabilities of ZAR 1.300 trillion, down ZAR 51.2 billion from April, driven by a ZAR 51.0 billion decline in gold and foreign assets. Foreign exchange reserves excluding special drawing rights fell ZAR 29.8 billion, gold fell ZAR 17.3 billion and special drawing rights holdings fell ZAR 4.0 billion, while domestic assets were broadly stable and deposits increased.