Payments Department

The Payments Department (AFB) aims to ensure that payments are safe, efficient and accessible, and that they function in both peacetime crisis situations and in states of heightened alert. This is achieved, among other things, by providing the RIX payment system. The department is also responsible for the Riksbank's task of managing cash supply in society. Finally, the department monitors and analyses developments in the payments market.

The RIX payment system makes it easier for market participants to carry out mutual financial transfers without credit or liquidity risks. The RIX system consists of two different payment services, RIX-RTGS for large-value payments and RIX-INST for instant payments (e.g. Swish). Participants in RIX include banks and other types of payment service providers and financial infrastructures such as Bankgirot. In RIX-RTGS, RIX participants have the opportunity to gain access to intraday credit in return for pledging collateral to the Riksbank. AFB is responsible for the agreements with the RIX participants and for the further development and operation of the RIX system and the system for collateral management for intraday credit.

The Riksbank has the exclusive right to issue Swedish banknotes and coins and is responsible for the country’s cash supply. AFB performs tasks related to cash supply, including the provision of banknotes and coins and the redemption of invalid and damaged banknotes and commemorative coins.

The department follows and analyses developments in the payment market, both in Sweden and internationally, in order to be able to adapt our operations, propose policy measures and help drive forward development towards safe, efficient and accessible payments. Parts of the department’s analysis, and recommendations for a better-functioning payments market are published in the annual Payments Report.