Mandate
Norges Bank’s activities are regulated by the Norges Bank Act of 1985. The Act states that Norges Bank shall be an executive and advisory body for monetary, credit and foreign exchange policy. The Bank shall issue banknotes and coins, promote an efficient payment system domestically as well as vis-à-vis other countries, and monitor developments in the money, credit and foreign exchange markets. The Act authorises the Bank to implement measures customarily or ordinarily taken by a central bank.
The Government has defined an inflation target for monetary policy in a regulation pursuant to the Norges Bank Act.
Norges Bank’s responsibilities in managing the Government Pension Fund Global (GPFG) are regulated by means of regulations issued pursuant to the Act relating to the Government Pension Fund Global and a separate management agreement with the Ministry of Finance.
Core responsibilities
Organisation of the bank’s operations is based on clearly defined core activities. Norges Bank shall:
- promote price stability by means of monetary policy
- promote financial stability and contribute to robust and efficient financial infrastructures and payment systems
- manage the portfolios of the GPFG and the bank’s own foreign exchange reserves in an efficient and confidence-inspiring manner.
Fundamental values
Norges Bank must be well managed and pursue a goal-oriented approach, as consistent as possible with international best practice.
The Bank must show the willingness and capacity to adapt to changes and to secure the confidence of the external community.
Norges Bank must be prudent in its use of resources.
It is Norges Bank’s objective to be a lean and efficient specialist enterprise with a strong focus on its core responsibilities.
See Norges Bank's Annual report for more information