Norges Bank Financial Stability
The Financial Stability wing shall contribute to robust and efficient payment systems and financial markets. Its main responsibilities consist of:
- Contributing to efficient and secure payment systems nationally and vis-à-vis other countries
- Discharging the Bank's responsibility for authorising and supervising interbank systems
- Monitoring and analysing financial institutions and financial markets
- Contributing to suitable framework conditions for financial institutions and financial markets
- Performing the central bank's role as a lender of last resort vis-à-vis the financial system
- Administering the central government's consolidated account with Norges Bank and managing the central government's domestic debt securities
- Ensuring that notes and coins are issued and distributed in accordance with the needs of the general public, and ensuring that notes and coins have properties conducive to efficient use
The departments under Norges Bank Financial Stability deal with issues relating to the structure and operation of financial markets, the earnings and financial strength of financial institutions, the design of payment systems and the impact of these factors on financial stability. Norges Bank's responsibilities as a settlement bank, which include general guidelines, operational functions and IT, and as an issuer of notes and coins also fall within the scope of this area. The work involves contact with operators in financial markets and the government authorities.
Executive Director: Kristin Gulbrandsen
Telephone: +47 22 31 67 00 / +47 22 31 60 25
Financial Markets Department
The department is responsible for monitoring developments in financial markets. The department analyses financial institutions' earnings, liquidity and financial strength. Property markets and the financial situation of the household and enterprise sectors are studied in order to assess banks' credit risk. The department also analyses developments in security markets both in Norway and internationally as well as more general aspects of the international economy that may have an influence on financial markets. A semi-annual report, Financial Stability, summarises these analyses. The department also works with issues related to the structure of Norwegian financial markets and the rules and regulations governing financial institutions and security markets.
Director: Birger Vikøren
Telephone: +47 22 31 60 25
Payment Systems Department
The department is responsible for the licensing and oversight of banks' netting and settlement systems, and draws up policy guidelines for the development of Norges Bank's role as a settlement bank. In addition, it has a special responsibility for contingency measures relating to the vulnerability of the financial infrastructure. Another aspect of the department's work involves promoting efficiency in the use and handling of means of payment, including cash. The department prepares an annual report on payment systems.
Director: Inger-Johanne Sletner
Telephone: +47 22 31 67 00 / +47 22 31 60 25
Interbank Settlement Department
The department is responsible for the operation and developments of Norges Bank's Settlement System (NBO). It carries out operational tasks in connection with securities settlement and with banks' loans and deposits in Norges Bank. The department performs tasks for the central government related to management of the government's consolidated account and domestic loans.
Director: Kjetil Heltne
Telephone: +47 22 31 60 25
Cashier's Department
The department discharges Norges Bank's responsibility pursuant to the Norges Bank Act as issuer of notes and coins. It ensures that new notes and coins are supplied as the need arises, and that old, worn notes and coins are removed and destroyed. The department is responsible for new issues and improvements of notes and coins designed to make them an effective means of payment. Information on the appearance and properties of notes and coins, particularly when changes are made, is important for ensuring that they are received with the necessary confidence, and the provision of information is therefore one of the department's key responsibilities.
Director: Trond Eklund
Telephone: +47 22 31 60 25