Profile of the Bank for International Settlements

The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) is an international organisation which fosters international monetary and financial cooperation and serves as a bank for central banks.

The BIS fulfils this mandate by acting as:

• a forum to promote discussion and facilitate decision-making processes among central banks and within the international financial community;
• a prime counterparty for central banks in their financial transactions;
• a centre for economic and monetary research;
• agent or trustee in connection with international financial operations.

This Profile describes the BIS, its work, and that of the various groups operating through the BIS.