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What is the role of Bank for International Settlements (BIS)?

19 May 2025 Zinkpot 109
What is the role of Bank for International Settlements (BIS)?

WHAT?

The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) is often referred to as the "central bank for central banks." It plays a key role in supporting global financial and monetary stability.  It's headquarters is located in Basel, Switzerland. It also has representative offices in Hong Kong and Mexico City. Lets see what all does the BIS do?

 

FUNCTIONS

 

  1. Acts as a Bank for Central Banks : In this role it holds deposits and manages accounts for over 60 central banks. BIS Offers asset management, gold and foreign exchange services to central banks and international institutions.
  2. Fosters International Monetary and Financial Cooperation : It hosts regular meetings of central bankers to coordinate global monetary policies. It also promotes dialogue and research on financial regulation, capital flows, and systemic risks.
  3. Supports Financial Stability : It monitors and analyzes global economic and financial developments and identifies systemic risks (e.g. banking crises, liquidity crunches). it also contributes to developing frameworks for crisis prevention and management.
  4. Conducts Research :  It publishes BIS Quarterly Reviews, working papers, and statistics on Interest rates, Cross-border capital flows, Exchange rates and Financial innovations (like CBDCs, digital finance)
  5. Sets Global Banking Standards : It isets the BIS hosts regulatory committees like:

 

Committee Role
Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS) Sets Basel III capital adequacy and liquidity norms for banks
Committee on Payments and Market Infrastructures (CPMI) Oversees global payment systems and financial infrastructure
Financial Stability Board (FSB) (hosted at BIS) Coordinates national financial authorities and international standard-setting bodies

 

SUMMARY

 

Role Description
Banking Safe custodian for central banks’ assets
Coordination Forum for global central banking discussions
Regulation Origin of Basel norms and global standards
Surveillance Global financial risk monitoring
Research Deep insights into economic and monetary issues

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