FAQ

How does the National Bank of Belgium differ from other public limited companies? From where does it derive its income, and how is that income distributed?

You will find the answer to these and other questions below. Other frequently asked questions are answered in the FAQ heading “The National Bank of Belgium”.

Some important points which were discussed at the 2018 general meeting

Independence and prohibition on monetary financing
The mandate of the company auditor of the National Bank

Some important points which were discussed at the 2017 general meeting

Appointment of a new company auditor
Statutory portfolio investment policy

Some important points which were discussed at the 2016 general meeting

Gold intended for numismatic or commemorative coins

Some important points which were discussed at the 2015 general meeting

The Expanded Asset Purchase Programme (Quantitative Easing)
Shareholders’ value from real estate
Unclaimed NBB shares

Some important points which were discussed at the 2013 general meeting

Gold lending
Annual compensation payment to the State for the conversion of a consolidated debt
Property sales

Some important points which were discussed at the 2012 general meeting

Greek government bonds in the Bank's own portfolios
Gold loans

Some important points which were discussed at the 2011 general meeting

Gold loans
Distribution of the Bank's profits for the year 2010

Some important points which were discussed at the 2010 general meeting

Annual compensatory payment to the State for the conversion of a consolidated debt
Prudential supervision: conflict of interest, financing and risks
NBB participation in the Eurosystem's securities purchase programme
Comparison between the profit allocations for the years 2008 and 2009
Composition of the statutory portfolio

Some important points which were discussed at the 2009 general meeting

Presentation of the annual accounts 2008
Impact of the financial crisis on the Bank
Impact for the Bank of the move by the IMF to strengthen its financial resources
Amendment to the rule on the depreciation of tangible fixed assets
The Bank’s annual financial report and specific accounting framework
Postponement of the General Meeting by the law of 3 April amending the Organic Law of the Bank
Future reserve and dividend policy
Amendment to the financial provisions of the Organic Law by the law of 3 April 2009

Some important points which were discussed at the 2008 general meeting

Provisions
Scrutineers
Impact of the subprime crisis on the Bank
Injections of liquidity as part of monetary policy and emergency provision of liquidity
Notional interest deduction
Property assets

Some important points which were discussed at the 2007 general meeting

Presentation of the annual accounts 2006
Staff share in profits
Dividend policy
Allocation of certain proceeds
Gold
Property assets

Some important points which were discussed at the 2006 general meeting

Gold sales
Property sales
Staff and shareholders’ share in profits
The National Bank share
Financial independence and tasks in the public interest
Corporate governance
The exchange value of as yet unreturned Belgian franc banknotes

The National Bank, different from other public limited liability companies

Why isn’t the National Bank the same as other companies?
Why is the National Bank listed on the Stock Exchange?
Who owns the foreign exchange reserves managed by the National Bank?
Who owns the foreign exchange reserves managed by the National Bank?
What makes the National Bank different from other public limited liability companies?
How is the income of the National Bank distributed?
What do the National Bank's gold and foreign exchange reserves represent and what purpose do they serve?
Where does the National Bank obtain its income?
What is the justification for maintaining the current foreign exchange reserves on the balance sheet?
What is the scope of Article 4 of the National Bank’s statutes which stipulates that “Each share shall confer the right to a proportional and equal part in the ownership of the National Bank’s assets and in the sharing out of the profits”?
Why doesn’t the National Bank keep separate accounts for its tasks in the public interest and its activities "as a company"?
Why are the National Bank's gold and currency reserves not ordinary assets?
Why do the private shareholders of the National Bank not have the same rights as shareholders of other public limited liability companies?
The mandate of the company auditor of the National Bank