The Riksbank’s task

The financial system

The Riksdag has given the Riksbank the task of “promoting a safe and efficient payment system”. The concept of payment system can now be read to mean the financial system. But what is that?


The financial system consists of banks and other companies (for instance insurance companies and mortgage institutions), marketplaces (such as the Stockholm stock exchange) and infrastructures (for instance Bankgirot). It also consists of the laws and regulations governing those who participate in the system.

 

It is important that the financial system is stable for many reasons, as it fulfils a number of functions of fundamental importance to society. The financial system enables people and companies not only to be able to make payments, but also to save money that others can then borrow. It is also possible to get help through the financial system in managing risks that may arise in the financial markets.

 

The role of the Riksbank

It is important that payments can be made safely and efficiently to enable the economy to function smoothly. The smoother and safer the transactions are, the lower the costs and the risks in producing goods and services will be. This benefits growth and employment in the long term. If one of the parts of the financial system suffers a serious shock, the costs to society can be substantial. This is clear not least from the consequences of the bank crisis Sweden experienced at the beginning of the 1990s. There is therefore a need for someone to oversee and ensure that the entire financial system functions smoothly. This is where the Riksbank comes in. 

 

The fact that the Riksbank has this task is mainly due to the Riksbank being the authority in Sweden that issues banknotes and coins and that the Riksbank functions as the bank for other banks.

 

Read more about financial stability

If you wish to know more about the Riksbank’s various methods of working to promote financial stability, click on the heading Financial stability analysis.
 
If you wish to know more about the Swedish financial system and how it works, click on the heading Financial infrastructure.

INTERNAL LINKS
 
Financial Stability Report
Articles in the Financial Stability Report

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LAST REVIEWED
28/02/2008