European Central Bank (ECB)

The European Central Bank (ECB) is the central bank of the European Union countries that have adopted the euro. Its primary mandate is to maintain price stability within the euro area and preserve the purchasing power of the single currency. It carries out its responsibilities as part of the Eurosystem, which includes the ECB and the national central banks of the euro area member states.

The ECB is responsible for the development and implementation of monetary policy, the management of official foreign reserves, and the oversight of payment and securities settlement systems to ensure the smooth functioning of the financial system. Its workforce operates across 45 countries, including Germany, Italy, France, Spain, and the Netherlands.