Bank for International Settlements (BIS)
The BIS is a bank owned by 63 central banks, set up in 1930 in Basel, which acts as a bank for central banks and a forum for central bankers and financial supervisors (BIS website). Its Board of up to 18 members includes the Governor of the Bank of England as an ex officio director. It hosts the committees of the 'Basel Process', including the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision.
Who leads it
- General Manager: Pablo Hernández de Cos (since 1 July 2025) (bis.org)
- Chair of the Board: Fabio Panetta (Governor of the Bank of Italy) (since 3 June 2026 (three-year term)) (bis.org)
- Board member (ex officio, UK): Andrew Bailey (bis.org)
The UK and the BIS
The Bank of England is a member central bank, and its Governor is one of six ex officio members of the BIS Board; Andrew Bailey is listed as a Board member (BIS website).
Key figures
| Figure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Member central banks (as stated when read) | 63, together accounting for about 95% of world GDP | BIS, read 16 October 2026 |
| Balance sheet total (31 March 2026) | SDR 482 billion | BIS, read 20 October 2026 |
| Currency deposits (mainly from central banks) (31 March 2026) | SDR 428 billion | BIS, read 20 October 2026 |
| Gold in own investment portfolio (31 March 2026) | 102 tonnes | BIS, read 20 October 2026 |
| Gold and gold loans as share of total assets (31 March 2026) | 16% | BIS, read 20 October 2026 |
| Board size (as stated when read) | up to 18 members, including 6 ex officio | BIS, read 20 October 2026 |
| Basel-based staff (as stated when read) | about 700 | BIS, read 20 October 2026 |
What it decides
- Provides banking services to central banks; its capital is held by central banks only (BIS member page).
- The Board determines strategic and policy direction, supervises management and carries out tasks set by the Bank's Statutes.
- Ex officio Board seats belong to the central bank Governors of Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States; up to eleven other member Governors may be elected.
- Hosts standard-setting committees through the Basel Process, including the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision.
- Publishes a monthly statement of account under Article 49 of its Statutes.
Records you can check
- BIS Annual Report and financial statementsAudited accounts to 31 March each year
- Statement of accountMonthly assets, liabilities and equity
- Board of DirectorsBoard members, Chair and advisory committees
- Member central banksList of the 63 shareholding central banks
Common questions
Who owns the BIS?
63 central banks and monetary authorities, which together account for about 95% of world GDP (BIS website). Its capital is held by central banks only.
Is the Bank of England part of the BIS?
Yes. The Bank of England is a member central bank, and its Governor holds one of six ex officio seats on the BIS Board (BIS website).
How big is the BIS balance sheet?
SDR 482 billion at 31 March 2026, of which deposits were SDR 428 billion (BIS financial information).
Who runs the BIS?
General Manager Pablo Hernández de Cos (since 1 July 2025). The Board is chaired by Fabio Panetta for a three-year term from 3 June 2026 (BIS website).
Other bodies at level 9
- African Development Bank
- Asian Development Bank
- Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
- Basel Committee on Banking Supervision
- European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
- European Investment Bank
- Financial Stability Board
- International Monetary Fund
- Paris Club
- World Bank Group
Sources
- BIS member central banks, read 16 October 2026
- About the BIS, read 20 October 2026
- BIS Board of Directors, read 20 October 2026
- BIS Management, read 20 October 2026
- BIS Financial information, read 20 October 2026
- BIS organisation, read 20 October 2026