Banque de France Annual Report 2018 Annual Report 2018 Banque de France www.banque-france.fr 819109_AR2018_Couverture.indd 1 Page n° 01 du fichier 290090 04/07/19 10:04:59 21/05/2019 15:02:55 The Governor’s Foreword THE GOVERNOR’S FOREWORD A trusted institution at the service of all In this uncertain world, with the European Central the Banque de France’s Bank and the whole of the independence is a guarantee Eurosystem, we have started to all our fellow citizens. normalising monetary policy It ensures that, with an eye by ending our net asset to the long term, we are purchases in December. Over committed to our objectives: the last three years, there have price stability and therefore been 770,000 net job creations a robust currency; financial in France and monetary In 2018, there was a rise stability and therefore policy has contributed to in uncertainty in Europe the smooth financing of this achievement. As regards and throughout the world. the economy. But this Financial stability, our French GDP growth stood independence brings with it financial institutions have at 1.5%, slowing from its strong a requirement: accountability improved solvency and pace in 2017. This figure is still for our performance. liquidity ratios, and the relatively satisfactory, but the ACPR has coordinated their Banque de France remains This 2018 Annual Report preparations for the fallout particularly vigilant given the shows what we have achieved: from Brexit. The Central current international slowdown. As regards Monetary strategy, Banks and Supervisors This decline is notably due we met our price stability Network for Greening the to geopolitical uncertainties objective with an inflation rate Financial System (NGFS), stemming from US protectionist of 1.9% at end-2018. The euro, launched by the Banque postures and Brexit. Restoring which has just turned 20, is a de France in early 2018, confidence is therefore a stable currency that protects now has 28 participants priority for political leaders. purchasing power. Along from five continents. 3 Lastly, we have developed in the light of the ongoing the economic debate has Services to the economy demanding transformation been enhanced; our role thanks to our drive to of our institution. and our activities are better promote an inclusive finance. known and recognised by our Throughout the country, the The Banque de France has fellow citizens. Banque de France network placed great importance has provided support to on becoming increasingly We conduct all of these actions households and firms, in efficient, innovative, visible and to serve French and European particular those most in need. open. It is more efficient: while citizens. Attachment to the Thanks to the help offered to increasing its range of services euro reached an all-time high, overindebted individuals and and maintaining its nationwide with the support of 72% the implementation of the network, it lowered its of French citizens and 75% right to basic banking services, headcount by over 6% in 2018. of Europeans. 86% of French we helped 223,000 families This translated into a decrease citizens are satisfied with the to escape financial exclusion of over 11%, or EUR 120 million, quality of the services we offer in 2018. The Banque de France in our annual operating throughout France, but we are offered support to SMEs and expenses, and is one of our continuing to strive to improve VSEs through credit mediation, contributions to the national it further. The confidence of which is now unified under community. More innovative our fellow citizens obliges us to its aegis. It has developed too: the Banque de France has do so. In the following pages, its training in economic and better organised its branch you will see a breakdown of financial literacy for all citizens. network while continuing to our 2018 results. And rest receive the public in good assured, with the ten thousand These results have been conditions across the country members of the Banque obtained thanks to the women and has consolidated the de France’s staff, that we will and men of the Banque processing of requests. do our utmost to remain de France. They work with It created a laboratory a trusted and outstanding professionalism and a sense dedicated to innovation, public service provider. of public service. Along with “the Lab”, which works closely the two Deputy Governors with financial start-ups, and is Denis Beau and Sylvie Goulard, the first European central bank François Villeroy de Galhau I personally wish to pay tribute to use blockchain technology. to them. Their commitment Lastly, it is more visible and is particularly remarkable more open: our presence in 4 BANQUE DE FRANCE – ANNUAL REPORT 2018 2018 in figures ACPR FINANCIAL STABILITY MONETARY SERVICES TO STRATEGY THE ECONOMY OUR THREE CORE MISSIONS 5 10,257 full-time equivalent employees 95 branches 7.0 billion euro: profit before tax and exceptional items (of which 5.6 billion euro paid to the community in income tax and dividends) 121 million euro: reduction in net operating expenses versus 2015 13,567 secondary school pupils instructed in economic, budgetary and financial issues 177 tonnes of coins collected and sorted for the 2018 Pièces jaunes national charity campaign 3,877 entrepreneurs assisted by VSE correspondents 1.9% reduction in energy-related greenhouse gas emissions 6 BANQUE DE FRANCE – 2018 IN FIGURES 7 Monetary strategy in 2018 580.3 123.5 billion euro of securities purchased billion euro of private sector securities by the Banque de France since the purchased since the launch of implementation of the CBPP3, ABSPP, the private sector asset purchase PSPP and CSPP programmes programmes (CBPP3, ABSPP, CSPP) ¥ $ £ 140.0 52.2 billion euro: total value of France’s billion euro: total value of France’s net gold and foreign exchange reserves net foreign exchange reserves ¥ $ £ 87.8 2,436 billion euro: total value tonnes: weight of France’s gold reserves of France’s gold reserves (4th largest holding in the world) 1 5.7 billion euro banknotes billion banknotes distributed manufactured and distributed at Banque de France counters 789 29 3rd million individual items articles published in ranking Eurosystem of data accessible peer-reviewed journals central bank for via the Open Data Room research, by number of listed publications 8 BANQUE DE FRANCE – 2018 IN FIGURES Tasks MARCH The Banque de France increases the frequency of its As a member of the Eurosystem, the Banque de France designs macroeconomic projections and implements monetary policy with the aim of safeguarding a for France to quarterly major public good: monetary stability • participation in Governing Council monetary policy decisions APRIL • gradual exit from non-conventional monetary policy to keep Innovation in monetary policy operations: auction inflation and growth on track system for securities lending • production of economic statistics and forecasts to provide transactions valuable insight JULY Publication of the 2017 report by the Observatoire de la sécurité des moyens de The Banque de France’s cutting-edge expertise consolidates paiement (Observatory for the its position as the central bank for markets and ensures the Security of Payment Means) Paris financial centre is efficient and secure: • secure financing environment SEPTEMBER • increased capital market liquidity The ECB unveils the new €100 and €200 banknotes • management of foreign exchange reserves NOVEMBER Launch of an Open Data Room at the Banque de France’s offices in New York The Banque de France maintains confidence in the currency: DECEMBER • printing and circulation of banknotes The ECB Governing Council decides to end net asset • security and innovation in payment instruments purchases as of 2019 • strong attachment to the euro among the French public 9 Financial stability in 2018 192 50 ACPR 967 on-site inspections inspections on behalf ACPR employees of insurance firms, of the ECB as part banks (excl. SSM of the Single inspections) and Supervisory business practices Mechanism (SSM) 128 802 789 staff seconded banks authorised authorised to the ECB as part or inspected insurance firms of the SSM and mutual insurers 13.6% 24 250 the core tier one billion euro: average billion euro: average capital ratio of the daily flows processed daily flow of large- six main French by retail payment value payments banking groups systems in France processed by Target2 in December 2018 in France in December 2018 10 BANQUE DE FRANCE – 2018 IN FIGURES Tasks MAY ACPR At the proposal of the Governor of the Banque de As well as securing confidence in the currency, France, the HCSF adopts a the Banque de France guarantees another essential public good: measure capping systemic the solidity of the financial sector banks’ exposure to large, highly indebted French • European inspections to ensure banks meet international corporations at 5% of standards of resilience their capital • protection of customers JUNE At the proposal of the Governor of the Banque de France, the HCSF raises The Banque de France anticipates and prevents risks: the countercylical capital • evaluation of new risks buffer to 0.25% for French banks • contribution to changes in regulation • provision of guidance to banks in their digital transformation SEPTEMBER Inauguration of the ACPR’s new premises, in the presence of Mario Draghi and Danielle Nouy The Banque de France ensures the sound functioning Conference on European and security of payment instruments: banking supervision • prevention of systemic risks • sound functioning