The history of many central banks only goes back 100 years or so, which is not very long. Today in most countries, however, the central banks have the sole authority to issue banknotes and operate central bank payment and settlement systems such as high value payment systems and securities settlement systems.
These facts imply that there is a strong economic rationale, which is common in countries worldwide, for central banks to provide these infrastructures. In each country, the central bank is the only entity able to provide central bank money with “finality,” which is free of credit risks and “unwinding” of settlements.