I look forward to a pleasant afternoon and an inspiring conference! An innovative spirit has made financial technology the driving force transforming the world of finance. This technology has now become an essential part of banking, and therefore also central banking. Looking at our virtual audience today, I see start-ups, venture capitalists, and consultants.
To be honest, when you think of central banks, “innovation” might not exactly be the first word that springs to mind. Instead, your first thought might – hopefully – be “stability”. But take it from me: stability and innovation are not mutually exclusive. In fact, they go hand in hand. Technological progress has always shaped the tasks and activities of central banks.