Europe

One of the Central Bank of Iceland´s main tasks is to promote an efficient and safe financial system, including domestic payment systems and foreign payment intermediation.

On January 1, 1987 Hungary returned to the two-tier banking system. With a few exceptions most of the system, branch offices and clients of the new commercial banks which were established were drawn from the National Bank of Hungary.

The new Bundesbank Act, which came into effect on 30 April 2002, has given the Bundesbank a new structure. This is reflected in the design of our website. The core material we make available online nonetheless still includes the Monthly Report, statistical data and information from the Bundesbank's business areas. Selecting “ECB publications” in the pull-down Services menu on our home page also gives you direct access to the European Central Bank’s website and its publications.

The Banque de France is an integral part of the European System of Central Banks defined by the Maastricht Treaty. It participates in the performance of tasks and achievement of objectives assigned to this system by the Treaty.

The overall objectives of Danmarks Nationalbank as an independent and credible institution are: * To ensure a stable krone. * To ensure efficient and secure production and distribution of banknotes and coins of high quality. * To contribute to efficiency and stability in the payment and clearingsystems and in the financial markets. * To act as banker to the central government. * To prepare reliable and relevant financial statistics. * To prepare and communicate credible standpoints on economic and financial issues with relation to Danmarks Nationalbank's objectives. * To maintain its financial strength by means of consolidation and risk management.

The Central Bank of Cyprus was established in 1963, shortly after Cyprus gained its independence, as an autonomous institution in accordance with the Central Bank of Cyprus Law 1963 and relevant articles of the Constitution.

The Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina was established in accordance with the Law adopted at the Parliament of Bosnia and Herzegovina on 20 June 1997. The Central Bank started its operation on 11 August 1997.

As a member of the European System of Central Banks the Central Bank of Ireland work closely with the European Central Bank and the other national central banks within the EU.

The Bulgarian National Bank, established in 1879, is the Central Bank of Bulgaria. Its main objective is to maintain the stability of the national currency, the Lev, through the implementation of adequate policies and of an efficient payment system.

On 27 June 2004 Slovenia entered the Exchange Rate Mechanism ERM2. The aim of the ERM2 entry is to ensure the stability of the SIT/EUR exchange rate in agreement with the competent European institutions.

The Bank of Lithuania is the central bank of the Republic of Lithuania. Its principal objective is to maintain price stability. In seeking its principal objective, the Bank of Lithuania is independent from the Government of the Republic of Lithuania.

The Bank of Latvia is the central bank of the Republic of Latvia. It is one of the key public institutions and carries out economic functions as prescribed by law.

The Bank of Greece is the central bank of the country. It was established in 1927, by an Annex to the Geneva Protocol of 15 September 1927, a few years after World War I and the Asia Minor Disaster.

The Bank of Finland is Finland?s central bank and a member of the European System of Central Banks (ESCB). Finland is part of the euro area, for which monetary policy is conducted by the Eurosystem.

The mission of Eesti Pank is to guarantee price stability in Estonia.

The Bank of England is the central bank of the United Kingdom. Sometimes known as the 'Old Lady' of Threadneedle Street, the Bank was founded in 1694, nationalised on 1 March 1946, and gained operational independence in 1997.