Bank for International Settlements (BIS), the oldest international financial institution, was founded in 1930 at the Hague Conference to manage the administration and distribution of repatriation payments imposed on Germany following World War I.

Today, the institution aims to be a hub for central banks to provide its customers with a central location for discussion, information-sharing, and research while adapting to the changing needs of their global clients and financial markets. In addition to promoting international collaboration and governance, BIS provides banking services to its members such as; money market securities, foreign exchange and gold services, and Asset Management services. Collectively, BIS aims to achieve its goal to “serve central banks in their pursuit of monetary and financial stability, to foster international cooperation in those areas and to act as a bank for central banks.” by facilitating with the following:

• fostering discussion and facilitating collaboration among central banks
• supporting dialogue with other authorities that are responsible for promoting financial stability
• carrying out research and policy analysis on issues of relevance for monetary and financial stability
• acting as a prime counterparty for central banks in their financial transactions
• serving as an agent or trustee in connection with international financial operations

Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, BIS is presided over by three levels of governance: Board of Directors, General Meeting of BIS member central banks, and BIS Management. The Board of Directors is responsible for determining the policy direction and meeting the Bank’s Statutes, the BIS member central banks hold shares in the bank and having voting rights at General Meetings, and BIS Management is comprised of three sub-committees who advise on strategic planning, financial management, and compliance and risk management.

Our mission is to serve central banks in their pursuit of monetary and financial stability, to foster international cooperation in those areas and to act as a bank for central banks.

Bank for International Settlements funding is provided by bank services in addition to sales of shares to its member central banks.

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