The Swiss National Bank (SNB) is the central bank of Switzerland
Like other central banks, the SNB is responsible for setting monetary policy. It is also responsible for the issuing of Swiss franc banknotes.
The Swiss National Bank’s primary function is to ensure price stability within the country and create an economic environment conducive to optimal economic growth and development for Switzerland.
Unlike many other central banks, the SNB is a private company. Just over half of its shares are held by public institutions, with the rest traded on the Swiss stock market.
The Swiss National Bank officially opened for business on June 20, 1907.
It has two head offices: one in Berne and one in Zurich.
In addition, it maintains six representative offices (in Basel, Geneva, Lausanne, Lucerne, Lugano and St Gallen).
It also has 14 agencies operated by cantonal banks that help to secure the supply of money to the country.
The SNB is also referred to as the Banque Nationale Suisse in French, Schweizerische Nationalbank in German, Banca Naziunala Svizra in Romansh, and Banca Nazionale Svizzera in Italian.
The Bank’s logo reflects all four languages of Switzerland, plus English.