Note on Gold Operations; Opening of the BIS's archives

The Bank for International Settlements is today releasing a "Note on Gold Operations involving the Bank for International Settlements and the German Reichsbank, 1st September 1939 - 8th May 1945". This note, based on BIS archives, gives a comprehensive overview of all gold transactions carried out between the two institutions during the Second World War. The note has been audited by Coopers & Lybrand, London. The note, together with the audit certificate, is available as from today on the BIS's own web site (http://www.bis.org). In addition, the Bank is at the same time releasing on its web site an introductory note briefly describing its activities during the period 1930 - 1945.

Furthermore, the BIS Board of Directors, at its meeting on 7th April, decided to open to the public the Bank's historical archives. Documents older than 30 years will be made available from early 1998. However, as a preliminary measure, major documents relating to the BIS's war-time activities will be made available to historians and researchers from July of this year. This will include all files used in the drafting of the "Note on Gold Operations involving the Bank for International Settlements and the German Reichsbank, 1st September 1939 - 8th May 1945".