The Swiss National Bank (SNB) conducts the country’s monetary policy as an independent central bank. It is obliged by Constitution and statute to act in accordance with the interests of the country as a whole. Its primary goal is to ensure price stability, while taking due account of economic developments. In so doing, it creates an appropriate environment for economic growth.

The National Bank also fulfils a number of other important tasks:

• It holds the note-issuing privilege. It supplies the economy with banknotes that meet high standards with respect to quality and security. It is also charged by the Swiss Confederation with the task of coin distribution.
• It provides the Swiss franc money market with liquidity via repo transactions, thereby implementing monetary policy.
• In the field of cashless payment transactions, it provides services for large-value payments between banks. These are settled in the Swiss Interbank Clearing (SIC) system via sight deposit accounts held with the SNB.
• It manages the currency reserves. These engender confidence in the Swiss franc, help prevent and overcome crises and may be utilised for interventions in the foreign exchange market.
• Within the context of its task to contribute to the stability of the financial system, the National Bank analyses sources of risk emanating from the financial system. It oversees the systemically important payment and securities settlement systems and helps to promote an operational environment for the financial sector.
• It acts as banker to the Confederation. It processes payments on behalf of the Confederation, issues money market debt register claims and bonds, handles the safekeeping of securities and carries out money market and foreign exchange transactions.
• Together with the federal authorities, it participates in international monetary cooperation activities and provides technical assistance where needed.
• It compiles statistical data on commercial banks and financial markets, the Swiss balance of payments, Switzerland’s international investment position and the Swiss financial accounts.