Website: www.bnbank.org

The Bulgarian National Bank, established in 1879, is the Central Bank of Bulgaria. Its main objective is to maintain the stability of the national currency, the Lev, through the implementation of adequate policies and of an efficient payment system. After the introduction of a Currency Board Arrangement on July 1, 1997, the number of monetary policy instruments at the disposal of the Bank was reduced and the exchange rate is currently fixed by Law at 1.95583 Levs per Euro. The BNB has the exclusive right to issue banknotes and coins in Bulgaria. They are produced in the Bank's Printing Works and Bulgarian Mint. The BNB performs the function of financial agent of the government. The Bulgarian National Bank regulates and supervises the banking sector aiming at the stability of the banking system. The Bank grants banking licenses, conducts on-site inspections and collects data from the commercial banks. Non-bank financial institutions, such as financial houses, are also subject to licensing and supervision by the Bank. The BNB controls commercial banks' trade in and settlement of government securities. The Bank administers the Government Securities Depository and monitors the activities of the Central Depository .