The Banco de España’s mission is to support stable economic growth. To this end, it pursues both price and financial system stability and, through its analysis, contributes to other economic policy-making. It publishes a range of documents and research papers on subjects relating to the economy, finance, its own history and activities, and other topical issues. Under the Single Supervisory Mechanism, it supervises Spanish banks to ensure public trust in banking system stability.
Among the key responsibilities of the Banco de España are economic analysis and research. This includes the study and monitoring of the Spanish economy and its environment, economic policies (focusing especially on the Eurosystem’s monetary policy) and the banking and financial systems.
Analysis and research shortcuts
Cash plays an important role in the proper functioning of the economy. Euro banknotes and coins are the only legal tender in the euro area and the only form of public money to which everyone has access. As such, cash is key for the social inclusion of the most vulnerable groups who have limited access to new technologies. Cash also provides us with a means of payment if electronic payment systems are unavailable.
This section offers further information about euro coins and notes, as well as historical data and information about the peseta.
Banknotes and coins shortcuts
The Central Balance Sheet Data Office (CBSO) of the Banco de España compiles, processes, prepares and analyses economic and financial data of Spanish non-financial corporations in order to get a better insight into these companies. This information is also used to draw up the financial accounts of the Spanish economy and to analyse business performance and the effects of monetary policy measures on business financing and earnings. The CBSO conducts specially tailored surveys on a voluntary basis with collaborating firms to obtain more detailed and richer information.
Central Balance Sheet Data Office shortcuts
The Institutions’ Conduct Department assumes functions directly aimed at the public, such as the Complaints Service, and deals with consumer queries and information. It also supervises the conduct of financial institutions and participates in drafting regulations on transparency and bank customer protection.
Conduct shortcuts
In this field, and in collaboration with the CNMV, the Financial Education Plan is being developed which aims to improve practical knowledge about the population’s finances. In addition, the Banco de España is developing initiatives to increase the public’s financial literacy and knowledge of euro banknotes and coins. All of this is to enable the public to face up to their financial decisions with better understanding and therefore reinforce the stability of the financial system.
Economic and financial education shortcuts
The Banco de España’s responsibilities include helping to maintain financial stability in the face of risks and systemic vulnerabilities, be they cyclical or structural. To achieve this, the Bank can introduce macroprudential regulatory requirements for the banking system.
Financial stability and macroprudential policy shortcuts
In this section, users can consult a series of resources with legal information on banking law and the financial system.
The content of this section has been designed to provide a source of documentation, albeit of no legal value.
The legally valid texts can be found in the corresponding official bulletins.
Financial regulation shortcuts
The main objective of the Eurosystem, of which the Banco de España is a member, is to maintain price stability. To achieve this, the European Central Bank manages monetary policy in the euro area, through which it aims to influence the cost and availability of money in the economy.
Monetary policy shortcuts
One of the Banco de España’s functions is resolution planning (preventive function), to address situations in which institutions are failing or likely to fail in the near future and no alternative measures are possible; in such situations, the Spanish executive resolution authority (FROB) is tasked with implementing the resolution scheme (executive function). Resolution seeks to minimise the cost for taxpayers, ensure the continuity of essential activities and services and prevent adverse effects on financial stability.
Resolution shortcuts
Payment and securities settlement systems are key elements of a country’s economic and financial activity and, broadly speaking, constitute the infrastructure used to move assets within an economy. As a result, the smooth functioning of settlement systems is vital for financial stability.
Promoting the smooth functioning of payment systems is one of the Banco de España’s functions. The Bank is also responsible for their oversight, which is the basic tool for identifying and assessing inherent risks, and for verifying that all systems are equipped with proper control mechanisms.
Payment systems shortcuts
Climate change is an increasingly pressing concern for the public at large that could have severe implications for inflation, financial stability and growth. Within our remit, central banks and financial sector supervisors play a significant role in tackling climate change and smoothing the green transition.
Environmental sustainability shortcuts
The importance of financial sector activity, for both the economy and society at large, makes it essential to promote its smooth functioning and protect the stability of the financial system overall. It is therefore in the public interest to safeguard banks’ solvency, liquidity and sound functioning through microprudential supervision.
Banking supervision shortcuts
