Which central bank is widely regarded as the world’s oldest, founded in Stockholm in 1668?

Sveriges Riksbank is widely regarded as the world’s oldest central bank, founded in Stockholm in 1668.

Sweden’s parliament established the institution as the Riksens Ständers Bank after the collapse of Stockholms Banco. It later became known as Sveriges Riksbank, the Swedish National Bank.

The Riksbank is responsible for Swedish monetary policy and works to maintain price stability. Sweden’s modern central bank also has responsibilities connected with payments and financial stability.

The Bank of England is older as a commercial institution, having been founded in 1694, but Sveriges Riksbank predates it as a central bank. The Swedish institution is therefore commonly described as the oldest central bank in the world.