Oesterreichische Nationalbank
The Oesterreichische Nationalbank (OeNB) is the central bank of Austria and, as such, an integral part of both the European System of Central Banks (ESCB) and the Eurozone. In the public interest, the Oesterreichische Nationalbank contributes to monetary and economic policy decision-making in Austria and in the Euro area. In line with the Federal Act on the Oesterreichische Nationalbank, the OeNB is a stock corporation. Given its status as a central bank, it is, however, governed by a number of special provisions, as laid down in the Nationalbank Act. The OeNB's capital totals EUR 12 million and is held by a sole shareholder, the federal government. The shareholder rights of the federal government are exercised by the Minister of Finance.[2] Since May 2010 this capital is entirely held by the Austrian state. Previously half of the capital was in the hands of employer and employee organizations as well as banks and insurance corporations.
Headquarters | Vienna | ||
---|---|---|---|
Established | 1 June 1816 | ||
Ownership | 100% state ownership[1] | ||
Governor | Robert Holzmann | ||
Central bank of | Austria | ||
Currency | Euro EUR (ISO 4217) | ||
Reserves | 9 620 million USD[1] | ||
Preceded by | Oesterreichisch-ungarische Bank | ||
Succeeded by | European Central Bank (1999)1 | ||
Website | oenb.at | ||
1 The Oesterreichische Nationalbank still exists but many functions have been taken over by the ECB. |
History
The Oesterreichische Nationalbank was founded in 1816 by Francis I, the first Emperor of Austria. The bank was founded after a period of high currency devaluation in Austria during war times, when paper money was issued by the Habsburg state.[3]
Tasks and composition
The main tasks of the OeNB center on contributing to a stability-oriented monetary policy within the Eurozone, safeguarding financial stability in Austria and supplying the general public and the business community in Austria with high-quality, i.e. counterfeit-proof, cash. In addition, the OeNB manages reserve assets, i.e. gold and foreign exchange holdings, with a view to backing the euro in times of crisis, draws up economic analyses, compiles statistical data, is active in international organizations and is responsible for payment systems oversight. Furthermore, the OeNB operates a payment system for the euro, promotes knowledge and understanding among the general public and decision makers owing to its comprehensive communication policy, and supports research in Austria.
Name | Function |
---|---|
Robert Holzmann | Governor |
Gottfried Haber | Vice Governor |
Eduard Schock | Executive Director |
Thomas Steiner | Executive Director |
Presidents/Governors
Name | Term |
---|---|
Richard Reisch | 1922–1932 |
Viktor Kienböck | 1932–1938 |
Eugen Kaniak | 1945 |
Hans Rizzi | 1945–1952 |
Eugen Margarétha | 1952–1960 |
Reinhard Kamitz | 1960–1967 |
Wolfgang Schmitz | 1968–1973 |
Hans Kloss | 1973–1978 |
Stephan Koren | 1978–1988 |
Hellmuth Klauhs | 1988–1990 |
Maria Schaumayer | 1990–1995 |
Klaus Liebscher | President 1995–1998, Governor from 1998 to September 2008 |
Adolf Wala | Director 1988–1998, President 1998–2003 |
Herbert Schimetschek | President 2003–2008 |
Claus Raidl | President September 2008 – August 2018[5] |
Ewald Nowotny | Governor September 2008 – August 2019[6] |
Harald Mahrer | President since 1 September 2018[5] |
Robert Holzmann[7] | Governor from 1 September 2019[8] |
See also
External links
- Oesterreichische Nationalbank (in English)
- Clippings about Oesterreichische Nationalbank in the 20th Century Press Archives of the ZBW
References
- https://d-nb.info/1138787981/34
- "Organization - Oesterreichische Nationalbank (OeNB)". OeNB. Archived from the original on 2 July 2017. Retrieved 21 January 2016.
- "Foundation of the bank and provisional governance". Archived from the original on 23 February 2018. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
- "Governing Board". Archived from the original on 12 May 2016. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
- orf.at: Neubesetzungen im Aufsichtsratsgremium. 22 August 2018, accessed 22 August 2018.
- Neue Nationalbank-Führung fix. Bei: derstandard.at.
- Ministerrat nominiert neues OeNB-Direktorium. Bundesministerium für Finanzen, 30 January 2019.
- Salzburger Nachrichten: Robert Holzmann als neuer Nationalbank-Gouverneur fixiert. 29 January 2019, accessed 2 February 2019.