Which institution is often called the “bank for central banks”?

The Bank for International Settlements is often called the “bank for central banks.”

The BIS was established in 1930 under the Hague Agreements. Its original purpose included facilitating German reparations payments after World War I, but its role evolved substantially after the reparations system ended.

Today, the BIS provides a forum where central banks cooperate on monetary and financial matters. It also conducts research, offers banking services to central banks, and supports international discussions about financial stability. The BIS is owned by central banks and is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland.

The BIS is different from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. The World Bank finances development projects, while the IMF lends to countries facing balance-of-payments difficulties. The BIS primarily serves monetary authorities rather than funding ordinary public infrastructure projects.