instruments ratedA-/A3/A- or better by a U.S. nationally recognized statistical rating organization, compared to $12.3 billion of cash, time deposits and securities, of which 97.2% were invested in investment grade instruments ratedA-/A3/A- or better by a U.S. nationally recognized statistical rating organization, at September 30, 2017. At September 30, 2018, 34.1% of CAF’s liquid assets were invested in time deposits in financial institutions, 19.0% in commercial paper, 15.3% in corporate and financial institution bonds, 11.0% in certificates of deposit, 12.4% in U.S. Treasury Notes and 8.2% in other instruments, including deposits in cash.
As of September 30, 2018, CAF’s liquid assets was distributed by country as follows: United States —30.6%, France — 8.9%, Chile — 6.9%, Japan — 6.1%, Switzerland — 6.1%, South Korea — 5.5%, United Kingdom — 4.5%, Germany — 4.2%, China — 3.6%, Spain — 3.6%, Singapore — 2.7%, Canada — 2.4%, Netherlands — 2.4%, United Arab Emirates —2.1%, Supranationals — 2.0%, Qatar — 1.9%, Australia — 1.7%, Ireland — 1.7%, Kuwait — 1.1%, Luxembourg — 0.7%, Sweden — 0.5%, and others — 1.9%.
2017 and 2016. At December 31, 2017, CAF’s liquid assets consisted of $12.7 billion of cash, deposits with banks, marketable securities, and other investments, of which 90.6% were invested in investment grade instruments ratedA-/A3/A- or better by a U.S. nationally-recognized statistical rating organization; 24.7% of our liquid assets were invested in time deposits in financial institutions, 31.6% in commercial paper, 13.8% in corporate and financial institution bonds, 12.1% in certificates of deposit, 11.7% in U.S. Treasury Notes and 6.0% in other instruments including deposits in cash. At December 31, 2016, our liquid assets consisted of $12.0 billion of cash, deposits with banks, marketable securities, and other investments, of which 97.5% were invested in investment grade instruments ratedA-/A3/A- or better by a U.S. nationally-recognized statistical rating organization; 22.1% of our liquid assets were invested in time deposits in financial institutions, 25.1% in commercial paper, 10.3% in corporate and financial institution bonds, 18.8% in certificates of deposit, 15.6% in U.S. Treasury Notes and 8.1% in other instruments including deposits in cash.
As of December 31, 2017 CAF’s liquid assets were distributed by country as follows: United States —28.3%, Japan — 9.4%, France — 8.0%, China — 6.2%, Australia — 5.6%, Canada — 4.7%, Switzerland —4.6%, South Korea — 4.6%, Spain — 3.6%, Chile — 3.4%, Germany — 3.2%, Netherlands — 2.9%, United Arab Emirates — 2.4%, United Kingdom — 2.3%, Qatar — 1.8%, Ireland — 1.7%, Belgium — 1.4%, Supranationals — 1.1% and others — 4.8%.
Commitments and Contingencies
CAF enters into commitments and contingencies in the normal course of its business to facilitate its business and objectives. Commitments and contingencies include: (1) credit agreements subscribed and pending disbursements, (2) lines and letters of credit for foreign trade, (3) equity investment agreements subscribed and (4) partial credit guarantees. For further discussion of these arrangements, see Note 22 (“Commitments and Contingencies”) to CAF’s audited financial statements in the accompanying prospectus.
Strategy and Capital Resources
CAF’s business strategy is to provide financing for projects, trade and investment in the shareholder countries. Management expects CAF’s assets to grow in the future, which will increase its need for additional funding. Likewise, maturing debt obligations will need to be replaced. In addition to scheduled capital increases, management anticipates a need to increase funds raised in the international capital markets and to maintain funding through borrowings from multilateral and other financial institutions. While the substantial majority of CAF’s equity will continue to be held by full member shareholder countries, CAF intends to continue offering equity participation to associated shareholder countries through the issuances of Series “C” shares. See “Capital Structure.”
CAF intends to continue its programs to foster sustainable growth within the shareholder countries, and to increase its support for the private sector within its markets, either directly or through financial institutions
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