Payment systems and the role of the Eurosystem

The European Central Bank (ECB) has just published a new book entitled “The payment system – payments, securities and derivatives, and the role of the Eurosystem”. The book provides a comprehensive insight into the handling of financial transactions and the functioning of the related financial market infrastructure – a core component of the financial system. It also explains the role and policies of the Eurosystem – which comprises the ECB and the 16 national central banks of the euro area – in this field.

The book is in three parts.

1. Providing an insight into the market infrastructure of modern economies with a view to examining key concepts which have general validity and are thus applicable around the world. Emphasis is placed on the principles governing the functioning of the relevant systems and processes and the presentation of the underlying economic, business, legal, institutional, organizational and policy issues. 
2. Focusing on issues concerning the market infrastructure for the handling of euro-denominated payments, securities and derivatives, as well as the most important EU legislation. 
3. Explaining the operational, oversight and catalyst roles of the Eurosystem and the policies established by the Governing Council of the ECB in this field. It also considers the legal basis for the Eurosystem’s involvement and describes the transparent and cooperative approach adopted by the Eurosystem with a view to pursuing its public policy objectives while acting within a modern market economy environment.

The book can be downloaded free in PDF fromat from the ECB’s website – CLICK HERE.