Although the history of central banks stretches back over 300 years, I believe their roles are in the process of changing even today. It also goes without saying that, in the course of exploring ways of overcoming the global financial crisis, the role of the central bank is appraised as having become more important than at any time in the past.
For example, the “post-crisis role of central banks” has been a theme discussed in great depth in academic circles, and we may well be looking toward change in the direction of a heightening of the duties and authorities of the central bank relative to the past.