In the context of payment and securities settlement systems, the Bundesbank acts not just as an operator of payment systems and as catalyst for desired changes on the market but is also entrusted with the task of oversight.

Residents – with the exception of monetary financial institutions (MFIs), investment stock corporations, investment companies for their special funds and individuals – are required to report their claims and liabilities vis-à-vis non-residents on a monthly basis if the sum of the claims or the sum of the liabilities amounts to more than €5 million or the equivalent value in another currency at the end of a given calendar month.

In response to financial crises since the 1990s, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has developed standards to promote data transparency and support the credibility of statistical systems.