​The national financial account shows an increase in the transaction value of financial flows in the South African economy in 2017, along with an improvement in real economic growth, especially during the latter half of the year. Although less than in 2016, inflows from the foreign sector adequately financed the deficit on the current account of South Africa’s balance of payments, supported by an upsurge in non-resident purchases of domestic interest-bearing securities. Overall, the value of funds transacted through shares increased while cash and deposits as well as credit extension decreased.This note is a brief summary of trends in both real and financial transactions in the flow of funds for the calendar year 2017 among all institutional sectors, and is followed by quarterly flow-of-funds accounts. The corresponding annual summary is published on pages S–46 and S–47 in this issue of the Quarterly Bulletin.