20th anniversary of Národná banka Slovenska

€10 silver collector coin

Národná banka Slovenska was established as the central bank of the Slovak Republic on 1 January 1993, when the Czech and Slovak Federation split into two separate countries. In the 20 years of its existence the bank has played a key role in all the major monetary and economic events in Slovakia and has helped form and cement the country’s current place in its common European home.

In its first years Národná banka Slovenska focused on ensuring the stability of the new Slovak currency. The currencies of the new Czech and Slovak Republics were separated within just four days. The preparation and production of the new Slovak banknotes took only a couple of months, when in normal circumstances it would have lasted years. Národná banka Slovenska played an important role in the introduction of the euro in Slovakia. For several years before the changeover, the central bank helped ensure compliance with the economic and legal criteria for the euro adoption.

As of the euro changeover date, NBS became a member of the Eurosystem. Along with the central banks of the other euro area countries NBS participates in the preparation of the European Central Bank’s monetary policy decisions, and it is responsible for the implementation of monetary policy in Slovakia.