The National Bank of Belgium is a public institution which has adopted the form of a public limited liability company. It does not have as its main object the creation of value for its shareholders. It has a special legal status and special organs and operating rules which distinguish it from other public limited liability companies.
Governor
The Governor directs the National Bank of Belgium. He presides over the Board of Directors and the Council of Regency.
Board of directors
The Board of Directors is responsible for the administration and management of the National Bank and decides the direction of its policy.
Special Representative
The special representative advises the Board of directors on prudential supervision.
Council of Regency
The Council of Regency discusses general questions relating to the National Bank, monetary policy and the economic situation of Belgium and of the European Community. It approves the annual accounts and determines the distribution of the profits.
Board of Censors
The Board of Censors supervises the budget of the National Bank. It is also the audit committee of the Bank.
Sanctions Committee
The Sanctions Committee shall pronounce on the imposition by the Bank of administrative fines and penalties laid down by the laws applicable to the institutions that it supervises.
Auditor and representative of the Minister of Finance
The auditor audits and certifies the accounts of the National Bank. The representative of the Minister of Finance supervises the activities of the National Bank.
General Meeting
The General Meeting is not an organ of the National Bank. Most of the powers exercised in other public limited liability companies by the General Meeting of Shareholders are, in the case of the National Bank, attributed to the Council of Regency.
Organisation chart
Organisation chart of the National Bank
Corporate Governance Charter
Corporate Governance Charter
Legal framework
When the National Bank was established, the fact that the general interest takes priority in its management was given shape in a legal system that differs from the normal statutory provisions regarding public limited liability companies.
Frequently asked questions about the organisation of the National Bank