SnB - Some TidBits

The world of SnB:

How much does it cost to produce a banknote?

Who set up the first bank?

What is really meant by a "strong" franc?

What sort of professional qualifications do the National Bank's staff have?

Anything else you would like to know?

Source: http://www.snb.ch/e/welt/index.html

1/ Some questions and answers on money

How much does it cost to produce a banknote?

Which banknote is used the most?

What criteria are applied when designing new banknotes?

Where was paper money invented?

Where are the banknotes printed?

Who is responsible for the issuing of coins?

Is there really any need for cash nowadays? Couldn't we do without it?

Must everyone use SNB banknotes?

Who decides how much goods and services cost?

What happens when a country deletes several noughts on its banknotes?

Does having little money necessarily mean you are poor?

Source: http://www.snb.ch/e/welt/questions/1.html

2/ Some questions and answers on banks

Where and by whom was the first bank set up?

Who owns the banks in Switzerland?

Who is allowed to set up a bank in Switzerland nowadays?

What is the difference in meaning between "note-issuing bank" and "central bank"?

What would happen if everyone suddenly decided at the same time to withdraw their money from the banking system?

Could the economy still operate if there were no banks?

Why does the amount of interest on an account go up and down?

Why are there different interest rates?

Is there the opposite of money creation, i.e. destruction of money?

Source: http://www.snb.ch/e/welt/questions/2.html

3/ Some questions and answers on monetary policy

What is really meant by a "strong" franc?

Why does a bottle of mineral water which used to cost Sfr 1.20 now cost Sfr 3.70?

Would there be advantages in having a single currency throughout the world?

Why is the dollar such an important currency?

Wouldn't it be great if everything kept getting cheaper?

Can the National Bank influence the stock market?

Does the economy influence the National Bank?

Why doesn't the National Bank try to keep inflation at zero?

Couldn't the National Bank simply prevent unemployment?

Does the SNB coordinate its monetary policy with foreign central banks?

Do other countries pursue a similar monetary policy?

Source: http://www.snb.ch/e/welt/questions/3.html

4/ Some questions and answers on the National Bank

What sort of professional qualifications do the National Bank's staff have?

Does the National Bank have any competitors?

Who owns the National Bank?

Why does the National Bank have two Head Offices?

Doesn't the independence of the National Bank conflict with Switzerland's democratic principles?

Does the National Bank make a profit every year?

Is it possible to visit the National Bank?

How can I find out more about the National Bank?

Source: http://www.snb.ch/e/welt/questions/4.html