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In recent years central banks have eased monetary policy by conducting large-scale asset purchases and offering banks credit on affordable terms. These measures promote price stability and facilitate economic growth and employment.

The Bank of Finland grants credit against collateral to Finnish banks. During the pandemic, credit operations have facilitated bank lending to businesses and households, and their uptake has been record-high.

In order for banks to obtain credit from the central bank, collateral is required. Collateral protects the central bank against risk. The ECB and Bank of Finland have eased their collateral requirements during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Bank of Finland manages about EUR 11 billion of financial assets. The Bank’s investment activities are guided by its central bank obligations and its ambitious principles of sustainable investing.

Recent changes in the implementation of monetary policy have strongly expanded the balance sheets of the Eurosystem central banks. At the same time, balance sheet risks have increased.

The Bank of Finland safeguards the operation of the Finnish payment system. Payment systems deliver transactions from one account to another, all the way from everyday retail payments to multi-billion euro transactions by banks.

Financial markets provide clues on the state of the economy and financing conditions. Crises emphasise the importance of market surveillance, as emerging problems in the economy and financial system are often first seen in markets.

Asset purchases have become an integral part of conducting monetary policy. The Bank of Finland implements the Eurosystem’s purchase programmes in Finland. Asset purchases lower interest rates in markets.