Instructions for Sveriges Riksbank

Introduction

Article 1.

The General Council of the Riksbank has decided on Rules of Procedure for the Riksbank. The Rules of Procedures specify the Riksbank's overall organisation and regulate certain managerial and decision-making matters.

 

These Instructions for Sveriges Riksbank contain a more detailed description of the Executive Board's provisions regarding the organisation of the Riksbank.

 

The Riksbank’s management, governance and organisation

The Executive Board

Article 2.

The Executive Board directs the Riksbank’s operations, which entails responsibility for the aims, development and efficiency of these operations.

 

Article 3.

The Executive Board shall decide the following matters:

 

Decisions on monetary policy

  • Monetary and foreign exchange policy measures
  • The Monetary Policy Report
  • Written reports to the Riksdag Committee on Finance

Decisions on the safety and efficiency of the payment system

  • Important issues of principle regarding the stability and efficiency of the payment system.
  • The Financial Stability Report,

Decisions on capital management

  • Regulations, including currency distribution and risk authorisation, for the Riksbank’s capital management and strategic decisions in the field of capital management

Decisions on international issues

  • Important issues of principle regarding international opinions
  • International loans

Decisions on general management and aims for the bank’s operations

  • Strategy and specified targets for the Riksbank’s operations
  • Annual business plan, budget and staffing
  • Large investments or other strategic commitments not covered by the business plan
  • Strategic information and communication issues
  • Strategic ownership issues, terms of reference and issues that should be discussed at shareholders’ meetings 

Decisions on

  • Annual report and accounts
  • The Riksbank's statutes
  • Reports to the Riksdag and Government within the Executive Board’s area of responsibility after consultation with the General Council in accordance with Article 17 of the Riksbank’s Rules of Procedure
  • Important issues of principle regarding responses to consultation documents
  • Auditing plan for internal auditing and, where necessary, measures resulting from the suggestions and recommendations arising in the auditing, and
  • The appointment of heads of department, advisers to the Executive Board, the General Counsel and the Head of Risk Control.

Other matters shall be decided as stated in these Instructions. The Executive Board can additionally delegate preparation of matters or decision-making authority to the Governor or a Deputy Governor.

 

The Governor of the Riksbank

Article 4.

The Governor of the Riksbank is chairman of the Executive Board.

 

Article 5.

The Governor of the Riksbank shall make decisions on measures in foreign exchange or monetary policy situations so urgent that there is no time to await a decision by the Executive Board. Other members of the Executive Board shall be informed immediately of any such decisions taken.

 

Article 6.

The Governor of the Riksbank shall put forward proposals regarding the appointment of posts decided by the Executive Board in accordance with Article 3, and shall exercise managerial responsibility for the heads of department in accordance with Article 21, points 2-6.

 

Deputy Governors of the Riksbank

Article 7.

The First Deputy Governor has the role of the Governor's alternate.

 

Article 8.

A Deputy Governor shall, for certain matters in accordance with Article 3, make decisions or put forward proposals for decisions as follows:

  • One Deputy Governor shall present proposals for Monetary Policy Reports and proposals for decisions on monetary and foreign exchange policy measures.
  • One Deputy Governor shall present proposals for Financial Stability Reports and proposals on any measures aimed at ensuring the stability and efficiency of the payment system.
  • One Deputy Governor shall present proposals for regulations and strategic decisions in the field of capital management.
  • One Deputy Governor shall present proposals for important issues of principle regarding responses to consultation documents and make decisions on other responses to consultation documents.
  • One Deputy Governor shall present proposals regarding strategic information and communication issues.

This delegation is stated in more detail in the Appendix to the Instructions.

 

Heads of department

Article 9.

The Riksbank is divided into departments as stated in the Rules of Procedure. The division of the main work tasks among the departments is shown in the Appendix to the Instructions. Each department is led by a Head of Department.

 

Article 10.

The heads of department shall, within the scope established by the Executive Board,

  • run and develop the department’s activities within the scope of the business plan and budget approved by the Executive Board,
  • present proposals for strategy, business plan and budget for the department’s activities,
  • establish an appropriate organisation for the department,
  • be responsible for ensuring that there are appropriate regulations and guidelines and agreements for the department’s activities,
  • be responsible for international issues within the department’s field,
  • be responsible for managing risks related to the department’s activities,
  • be responsible for appropriate business continuity planning in the department,
  • decide, or delegate the decision-making power, in those matters that fall within the framework of the department's activities,
  • determine which matters should be referred to the Executive Board in accordance with Article 3,
  • ensure that background information is produced for matters that will be referred to the Executive Board for a decision,
  • be responsible for the observance of statutes, of regulations and guidelines decided by the Riksbank, and of agreements,
  • where necessary, coordinate activities in the department with activities of other departments, and
  • be responsible for keeping the Management Group and the Executive Board up-to-date on issues significant to the Riksbank.

A head of department can, after consultation with the Governor, always refer a matter to the Executive Board.

 

The Head of the General Secretariat is responsible for overall coordination between the departments and for regularly following up the Riksbank's activities.

 

Article 11.

The Head of the Internal Auditing Department shall regularly inform the Governor of the department’s findings.

 

Article 12.

The head of department appoints all posts within the department unless otherwise stated in these instructions. The appointment of deputy heads of department, the Head of the Research Division, the Head of the Communications Secretariat and the Chief Press Officer will be carried out in consultation with the Executive Board.

 

The Riksbank’s Management Group

Article 13.

A Management Group shall be established, consisting of the head of all departments, excluding the Internal Auditing Department. The Management Group’s main function is to coordinate and follow up the bank’s operations. Its field of responsibility and function are described in more detail in the Appendix to the Instructions. 

 

Deputy Heads of Department

Article 14.

A Deputy Head of Department shall decide, or delegate decision-making power, in accordance with the Head of Department's delegation decision.

 

Heads of Divisions

Article 15.

A department may be divided into divisions. A division may also have the title of secretariat. Each division is managed by a Head of Division, who is appointed by the Head of Department. The Head of Division shall decide, or delegate decision-making power, within the division’s field of operations in accordance with the Head of Department’s delegation decision.

 

Local managers

Article 16.

The daily operations at the bank’s establishments in Tumba and Mölndal are headed by local managers. The local managers shall decide, or delegate decision-making power, within their own field of operations in accordance with the delegation decision of the Head of Division at the Administration Department.

 

General Counsel

Article 17.

The General Counsel manages the legal work, reporting directly to the Governor of the Riksbank, and can refer matters to the Executive Board for a decision. The General Counsel appoints the other legal posts and exercises managerial responsibility of these in accordance with Article 21, in consultation with the Head of the General Secretariat Department. The General Counsel shall decide, or delegate decision-making power, on matters that according to these Instructions should be referred to the General Counsel and otherwise in accordance with decisions by the Head of the General Secretariat Department.

 

The General Counsel has the authority to represent the Riksbank himself or by proxy and to initiate proceedings before a court of law and other authorities. The General Counsel is also the legally responsible publisher of the Riksbank’s Statute Book.

 

Head of Risk Control

Article 18.

The Head of Risk Control can refer issues that are significant to the management and control of financial risks within capital management directly to the Executive Board for a decision.

 

The Head of Risk Control shall put forward proposals to the Executive Board on rules for the Riksbank’s capital management.

 

The Head of Risk Control shall present reports to the Governor and the Executive Board of the Riksbank.

 

Crisis management groups

Article 19.

There shall be two management groups to head the Riksbank’s operations in case of an emergency; the Management Group for Conventional Crises and the Management Group for Disturbances in the Financial System.

 

Their fields of responsibility and functions are described in more detail in the Appendix to the Instructions.

 

Responsibilities of Riksbank officials

Article 20.

Each official shall be familiar with and observe the current regulations and guidelines at the Riksbank and maintain and develop personal knowledge within the Riksbank's field of operations.

 

Article 21.

Each manager shall

  • plan, lead and distribute the work within their field of operations so that allocated resources are optimally utilised to achieve objectives, and ensure that the Riksbank’s total resources are used cost-efficiently,
  • represent the Riksbank as employer in relation to the personnel within the department, or according to a delegation decision, the division or the group,
  • ensure that the personnel is familiar with, understands and follows the applicable regulations and guidelines within the Riksbank,
  • be responsible for providing internal information to employees,
  • work to encourage the personnel to develop their skills and to ensure that initiative, cooperation and an ability to see the overall picture are encouraged, and
  • work to create a good, positive working environment characterised by openness and mutual respect.

Administrative regulations

Registration

Article 22.

There shall be a central register for the registration of public documents at the Riksbank. All public documents that are not obviously of little significance to the Riksbank's operations shall be recorded in the central register.

 

Documentation of decisions

Article 23.

Decisions on matters concerning the exercise of public authority, matters where a private person is a party or matters that are otherwise of significance for the Riksbank, shall be documented. The documentation shall specify the registration number, the date of the decision, the content of the decision, who has taken the decision and, where appropriate, who has presented the matter or who was involved in the final processing of the matter without participating in the decision.

 

Release of Public Documents

Article 24.

Matters concerning the release of public documents kept by the Riksbank shall be determined by the official responsible for the document. In doubtful cases, or if the petitioner requests a decision by the Riksbank, the matter shall be examined by the General Counsel, or, after delegation, by another legal counsellor at the Riksbank.

 

Archives

Article 25.

There shall be an archive function within the Riksbank, with responsibility for ensuring that the provisions of the Archives Act (1990:782) are adhered to.

 

_______________________________
This version of the Instructions for Sveriges Riksbank enters into force on 15 May 2007.


LAST UPDATED 5/30/2007 
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