Czech National Bank (CNB)

Basic Information

The Czech National Bank (ČNB), headquartered in Prague, is the central bank and primary financial regulator of the Czech Republic. Established on January 1, 1993, following the dissolution of Czechoslovakia, it succeeded the State Bank of Czechoslovakia. The CNB operates under full state ownership and is a member of the European System of Central Banks. Its core mandate includes maintaining price stability, overseeing financial markets, and issuing the Czech koruna (CZK), which remains the national currency despite the country’s EU membership.

Historical Background

The CNB emerged from the geopolitical restructuring of Czechoslovakia in 1993. Initially aligned with plans to adopt the euro, the Czech Republic retained the koruna due to strong economic performance and public preference. The bank’s regulatory framework evolved to address post-communist financial modernization, integrating EU standards while preserving monetary sovereignty. Its headquarters, a functionalist building designed by František Roith, has symbolized its institutional continuity since 1942.

Legal Authority & Regulatory Framework

The CNB derives its authority from the Czech Constitution and Act No. 6/1993 Coll., which defines its role in monetary policy and financial supervision. Key regulations include Act No. 277/2013 Coll. on currency exchange and Act No. 253/2008 Coll. on anti-money laundering. The bank enforces decrees such as Decree No. 315/2013 Coll., governing bureau-de-change operations, and aligns with EU directives to ensure cross-border financial compliance.

Core Responsibilities & Regulatory Scope

The CNB’s primary objective is price stability, targeting 2% annual inflation. Key functions include:
– Monetary Policy: Managing interest rates (e.g., 2W Repo Rate at 3.75% as of April 2025) and liquidity via open market operations.
– Currency Issuance: Exclusive control over koruna banknotes and coins, with denominations ranging from 1 Kč to 5,000 Kč.
– Financial Supervision: Oversight of banks, insurance firms, pension funds, credit unions, and forex bureaus. It mandates capital buffers (e.g., CCyB rate at 1.25%) and credit limits (e.g., 80% LTV for mortgages).
– Foreign Exchange Regulation: Daily fixing of exchange rates (published after 2:30 PM CET) and interventions to stabilize the koruna.

Contact Information

Headquarters:
Na Příkopě 28, 115 03 Prague, Czech Republic
Website: https://www.cnb.cz
Key Divisions: Monetary Department, Financial Market Supervision, Risk Management

Verification of Regulatory Status

To confirm an entity’s CNB authorization:
1. Visit the CNB’s official Register of Supervised Institutions (accessible via its website’s “Supervision” section).
2. Cross-check licenses using the Commercial Register maintained by the Czech Ministry of Justice.
3. Validate forex bureaus against Decree No. 315/2013 Coll. compliance, including displayed exchange rate transparency.