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Mission, tasks and strategy
De Nederlandsche Bank seeks to safeguard financial stability and thus contributes to sustainable prosperity in the Netherlands. That is our mission. And our strategy sets out how we intend to achieve it.
Mission
De Nederlandsche Bank seeks to safeguard financial stability and thus contributes to sustainable prosperity in the Netherlands. That is our mission. And our strategy sets out how we intend to achieve it. DNB seeks to safeguard financial stability and thus contributes to sustainable prosperity in the Netherlands. We perform our tasks to ensure: Reliable financial institutions Stable prices The right approach to a financial institution that has run into difficulties Analysis and advice A smoothly functioning payment system
Tasks
DNB has a range of tasks, both in the national and in the European context.
Gold
We manage the gold of the Netherlands – more than 600 tonnes of it. By the end of 2024, the gold reserves were worth €49.4 billion. Gold has traditionally been a safe haven, and it is mainly held as a reserve.
Financial stability
De Nederlandsche Bank is committed to a stable financial system. The financial system is made up of banks, insurers and other financial institutions. Stability means that the financial system can withstand shocks and contributes to sustainable economic growth. We warn of risks and take measures to improve the system’s resilience. For example, we require financial institutions to build additional buffers.
Inflation of 2%
DNB participates in European monetary policy to maintain stable prices: inflation should ideally be around 2%. The Governing Council of the European Central Bank (ECB) sets policy rates. These interest rates help get inflation to the desired level of 2%. The Governing Council includes ECB Executive Board members and national central bank governors, such as DNB’s Klaas Knot.
Secure, fast and convenient payments
DNB is responsible for issuing clean and undamaged euro banknotes and coins, and we supervise firms that facilitate payments. For example, we monitor the availability of debit card payment terminals and iDEAL payment options. In these and other ways, we are committed to ensuring that your payments are secure, fast and convenient. In the way you want - cash or digital. Any time, anywhere.
Reliable financial institutions
If you want to borrow money, or save it, take out insurance, build a pension – you need financial institutions like banks and insurers for all your money matters. At DNB, we supervise these institutions, making sure they take good care of you money. And we take action when this is not the case.
The right solution for a struggling bank
A bank or insurance firm can get into serious financial trouble. They can go bankrupt, just like any other business. In some cases we can take action and make sure that a bank or insurance firm is relaunched or sold. Whatever happens, we always want to limit any damage as much as possible. We are also responsible for the Dutch Deposit Guarantee, which guarantees the savings of all bank customers up to €100,000 per bank.
Other tasks
- We collect and publish statistics, some of them jointly with Statistics Netherlands (CBS).
- We conduct research and issue projections for the Dutch economy.
- We provide advice and recommendations to national policymakers.
Strategy
Our strategy sets out what is needed to ensure that we can continue to fulfil our mission and statutory tasks. It rests on four strategic pillars:
- Independent and authoritative as a central bank and supervisory authority DNB is seen as trustworthy and authoritative among the general public and in the financial sector. We must earn our good reputation by doing our job well and by identifying developments that require extra effort.
- Open and involved in society We want to know what is going on in society, be receptive to outside views and insights and engage with others. In addition, we want to provide facts and analyses that inform a debate on the economy with a long-term view.
- Adaptive and proactive DNB wants to be a good employer and invest in the competencies and skills our people need, ensuring the agility required to respond appropriately to any potential crisis. We continue to work on building a diverse and inclusive organisation.
- Efficient and effective The foundations of our organisation (information and IT, risk management) must be sound for us to do our job well. While we strive for comprehensiveness and attention to detail wherever required, we also need to be efficient and agile.
DNB Strategy 2025-2028