A central bank promotes economic stability and supports the financial well-being of a country and its citizens. Canada’s central bank is the Bank of Canada. We don’t handle personal banking services—you can’t open an account with us. We act as “the bank for banks,” and we have several areas of responsibility.

To keep Canada’s economy strong and resilient, our work focuses on five key areas:

• Monetary policy: We use our monetary policy framework to try and keep inflation low, stable and predictable—and close to the targeted rate.
• Financial system: We monitor risks and work to ensure Canada’s financial system remains stable and efficient.
• Currency: We design, issue and distribute the country’s secure, innovative and uniquely Canadian bank notes.
• Funds management: We manage the government accounts that hold public debt and foreign reserves.
• Retail payments supervision: We supervise payment service providers in accordance with the Retail Payment Activities Act.