Reserve Bank of Australia Annual Report – 2015 Financial Statements Note 2 – Net Profits

Note 2015 $M 2014 $M
Interest revenue
Foreign investments 1(b), 4 148 153
Australian dollar investments 1(b), 4 2,006 1,667
Overnight settlements 4 7 13
Cash collateral provided 4 3 1
Loans, advances and other 4 1
  2,165 1,834
Net gains/(losses) on securities and foreign exchange
Foreign investments 1(b) 40 94
Australian dollar securities 1(b) (130) (90)
Foreign currency 1(b) 6,146 146
  6,056 150
Dividend revenue
Investment in Bank for International Settlements 1(b) 4 3
Fees and commissions
Banking services fee income   98 86
Committed Liquidity Facility fee income 1(k) 208
  306 86
Commonwealth grant revenue 1(j) 8,800
Other income
Rental of Bank premises   10 10
Sales of note and security products   41 78
Gain on sale of Securency   8 7
Other   20 23
  79 118
Total   8,610 10,991
Less:      
Interest expense
Deposit liabilities 1(b), 4 1,174 1,010
Banknote holdings of banks 1(b), 4 63 72
Cash collateral received 4 8 2
Repurchase agreements 1(b), 4 2
  1,245 1,086
General administrative expenses
Staff costs   186 189
Superannuation costs 1(i), 14 54 60
Special redundancy/retirement payments   2 1
Depreciation of property 1(d), 8 8 9
Depreciation of plant and equipment 1(d), 8 24 21
Amortisation of computer software 1(e), 7 4 3
Premises and equipment   47 45
Materials used in note and security products   28 61
Travel   3 3
Consultants' fees, legal fees and payments to contractors   3 4
Other   9 9
  368 405
Other expenses
Banking service fee expenses   79 67
Subsidiary income tax   1 2
Banknote distribution expenses   4 4
Other   25 35
  109 108
Total   1,722 1,599
     
Net Profit   6,888 9,392

Staff costs in 2014/15 include a valuation gain of $9.0 million associated with the decline in the balance of the provision for post-employment benefits, mostly for post-employment health insurance (in 2013/14 there was an expense of $4.4 million) (refer Note 10). This post-retirement benefit ceased to be available for new staff appointed after 30 June 2013. The decrease in this provision in 2014/15 reflects an increase in the discount rate.

The RBA incurred aggregate research and development expenditure of $1.1 million in 2014/15 ($1.1 million in 2013/14); this is included in Other expenses.