We help central banks
manage their international
reserves
As an international organisation dedicated to central banks, the BIS provides a broad range of banking services to central banks and monetary authorities. This is a core part of the BIS's mandate to promote global financial stability and international monetary and financial cooperation. The Banking Department operates out of two closely linked dealing rooms: one at its head office in Basel and the other at the representative office in Hong Kong SAR.
In general, central banks and monetary authorities from around the world invest a portion of their foreign exchange reserves with the BIS. As an integral part of the central banking world, the BIS is particularly well placed to understand the objectives that they pursue and is focused on meeting their requirements. To respond to the evolving needs of reserve managers, the Banking Department has developed a specialised range of financial services as highlighted below.
Money markets
The BIS offers a full range of money market instruments in most convertible currencies covering all maturities of the money market yield curve.
Foreign exchange and gold
A wide range of foreign exchange services is available, from spot and forward deals to options and structured products. The BIS can also act on behalf of its customers as an intermediary in gold transactions.
Asset management
BIS Asset Management manages portfolios of government bonds and high-grade fixed income instruments on behalf of BIS customers.
As a meeting place for the world's central bankers, the BIS is ideally positioned to gather and disseminate the latest thinking on reserve and risk management. The Bank seeks to apply best practice in its own banking operations and serves as a centre of excellence for reserve management, offering knowledge sharing events and collaborating on joint projects with central banks and monetary authorities in this field.
