About market operations

Market operations are interest rate and foreign exchange transactions executed by the Riksbank with the aim of influencing Swedish interest rates or the krona exchange rate, in other words transactions executed with the purpose of implementing monetary or exchange rate policy.

 

Operational activities

Operational activities are the actual financial transactions executed by the Riksbank. Examples of such transactions are when the Riksbank lends to the banks or accepts their deposits. The Riksbank’s operational activities can be divided into three areas:

  • market operations,
  • management of the foreign exchange reserve, and
  • the RIX payment system.

Market operations

Market operations are interest rate and foreign exchange transactions executed by the Riksbank with the aim of influencing Swedish interest rates or the krona exchange rate, in other words transactions executed with the purpose of implementing monetary or exchange rate policy.

 

Foreign exchange reserve

The Riksbank holds a foreign exchange reserve primarily to maintain preparedness for foreign exchange market interventions. The management of the foreign exchange reserve entails the Riksbank investing its foreign reserves in various financial assets with the aim of yielding as high a return as possible given the restrictions set by the Executive Board.

 

The payment system

To guarantee a safe and efficient payment system the Riksbank provides a system through which the banks can execute large-value payments between themselves. The system for payments in Swedish kronor is called K-RIX, while that for euros is called E-RIX.


LAST UPDATED 4/16/2004