Bank for International Settlements (BIS)

As the world's oldest international financial institution, Basel, Switzerland-based BIS was founded in 1930 to increase cooperation among central banks and other government agencies working to create financial and monetary stability. It had a key role in reparation payments imposed on Germany following the World War I. It does not supervise or regulate banks, and its banking services are exclusively for central banks and international financial institutions.

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Sustainable Development Goals

Central bankers urge tax raises or spending cuts to tackle infation

2 min read

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The Bank for International Settlements' general manager said the key policy challenge remains fully taming inflation.

Agustín Carstens, general manager of BIS, shakes hands with Mario Marcel Cullell, then-governor of Chile's Central Bank

Sustainable Development Goals

BIS focuses on 'restoring low inflation'

2 min read

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Central bankers face "difficult choices" as they grapple with raising rates to tame inflationary pressures that probably won't ease anytime soon.

An illustration of a metaphor: the central bank as a tree trunk supporting a diverse ecoystem

Science & Technology

BIS says future is digital currency, not crypto

2 min read

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The global financial institution that supports central banks has a new blueprint for the world's monetary system, and it's not crypto-based.

An Italian photovoltaic plant ground-mounted with string inverters

Sustainable Development Goals

Europe leads on ESG as global rules sought

6 min read

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The rise of ESG investing creates an "urgent demand for global standards," says an organization working on them as the next U.N. climate summit nears.

Climate & Health

Envoy says 126 nations seek carbon neutrality

4 min read

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The top U.N. official for global climate action said 65% of the world body's 193 member nations will seek net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

A statue of Swiss-American Albert Gallatin, the fourth U.S. Treasury Secretary, outside the U.S. Treasury in Washington

Sustainable Development Goals

G-7 pledges to fight new coronavirus risks

3 min read

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G-7 finance chiefs vowed to safeguard their economies from the coronavirus outbreak, but did not offer specifics about what they might be prepared to do.