Payments and markets
Being able to pay safely is essential for all of us
Payments across the euro area rely on a vast infrastructure that ensures funds and assets get safely from one place to another. We run part of this network and keep an eye on the rest.
We also follow the financial markets. This gives us information for our core task of keeping prices stable, which contributes to economic growth.
A digital euro
New technology is transforming how we pay. We want to ensure that people in the euro area maintain free access to a universally accepted and risk-free means of payment. We’ve analysed possible benefits and challenges of a digital euro, which could complement cash.
Hub: A digital euroTARGET Services
The ECB and euro area national central banks operate a number of financial market infrastructures that ensure the free flow of cash, securities and collateral across Europe. These are collectively referred to as TARGET Services.
What are TARGET Services?Instant payments
People expect money to move as quickly as emails. That’s why we are working to make instant payments a reality for everyone in the euro area. TIPS is our instant payment settlement service available to banks. It lets people living in the euro area transfer money in seconds.
What is TIPS?Euro short-term rate (€STR)
The €STR is the new interest rate benchmark launched in October 2019. It reflects the costs that banks pay each other to borrow money overnight. Financial markets are expected to fully transition to the new rate by the end of 2021.
Euro short-term rate (€STR)Collateral
When banks borrow from us, they have to provide adequate collateral as a security. Want to know which collateral we accept? Looking for statistics on the collateral we have received?
More information on collateralCyber resilience
Cyberattacks can pose a risk to individual banks and also to the financial sector as a whole. That’s why we pay close attention to cyber resilience and carry out initiatives that help the financial sector be alert and prepared.
What is cyber resilience?Innovation
Innovation in the financial sector can bring great benefits. We investigate financial innovation and how it is changing, or could change, the way financial markets work. We also want to make sure that technological disruption does not come at the cost of integration or stability.
Financial innovationKEEP UP TO DATE
LATEST NEWS ON MARKET INFRASTRUCTURE AND PAYMENTS
Collaborating across Europe
Market contact groups
We have set up various market contact groups to guarantee that our policies are implemented smoothly and efficiently. The groups also let us talk to a range of market participants and follow global financial market developments more closely.
Market contact groupsPublic consultations
We regularly seek input on decisions and initiatives affecting financial markets. This direct engagement lets us benefit from the insights of people involved or interested in these markets.
See our ongoing and past public consultations