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Did you know that

The world’s oldest central bank

The Riksbank is considered to be the oldest central bank in the world and was founded in 1668.

 

Banknotes and coins

In 1904, the Riksbank was granted a monopoly on issuing banknotes and coins in kronor.

 

Independent central bank

On 1 January 1999, the Riksbank was granted its independent status in Swedish law.

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The Riksbank’s tasks

The Riksbank is Sweden’s central bank and an authority under the Riksdag, the Swedish parliament. The Riksbank is responsible for monetary policy with the objective to maintain price stability. The bank has also been given the task to promote a safe and efficient payment system.

 

The Riksbank’s interpretation of price stability is that inflation should be at a low, stable rate. The consumer price index, CPI, should be maintained at around 2 per cent. The Riksbank's main tool for influencing inflation is the repo rate.

 

The payment system and the supplying of credit play a central role in ensuring the economy functions efficiently. The Riksbank makes regular assessments of risk levels in the major Swedish banks and in the central financial infrastructure.

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Management

Executive Board governs the Riksbank

The Riksbank is led by an Executive Board of six members. The Executive Board is responsible for all of the bank's activities, that is to say, monetary policy, issues concerning financial stability, market operations and the payment system.

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Seminars

Seminars and lectures

The Riksbank organises a two-day seminar, three or four times a year, on the Riksbank’s role in the economy. These are aimed at teachers of economics and social sciences at upper secondary schools.

LAST UPDATED 2/22/2007 
 Content expert Picture on a letter General Secretariat