Branches

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The Bank of Italy operates throughout the country via its branches, whose main activities include:

  • State treasury services, namely payment and collection services for government departments;
  • supervision of banking and financial groups and intermediaries, operating mainly at a local level;
  • the protection of customers of banking and financial intermediaries (financial education initiatives, the processing of complaints and claims to the Banking and Financial Ombudsman);
  • banknote circulation, i.e. the distribution of euro banknotes and the safeguarding of the integrity and quality of the banknotes in circulation;
  • local economic analysis and statistical surveys;
  • the provision of information from the Interbank Register of Bad Cheques and Payment Cards and the Central Credit Register and some payments systems activities.

The branch network consists of 38 branches: 20 branches located in the regional capitals, which perform the whole range of activities assigned to the network; 12 branches devoted to a broad range of these activities; 6 branches specialized in cash handling for the distribution and collection of banknotes to and from banks and Poste Italiane and that do not offer services to the public.

The current structure is the result of the reorganization of the branch network, launched by the Bank of Italy in 2015, which envisages greater involvement of the largest branches in a broad range of institutional activities and the closure of 22 branches, with limited operations.

The Boards of regents of the main branches and Councillors of the local branches

The Board of regents of the main branches. In each of the 13 main branches of the Bank, there is a Board of regents, which is charged with the administration of the main branch, the opening and closing of the vaults, and the cash audits.

The board of regents is charged with the administration of the main branch within the limits established by this statute, the opening and closing of the vaults, and the cash audit. To this end it establishes a roster. The board of regents ensures that the regulations and instructions of the Head Office are observed; it examines and approves the budget of the administrative expenses of the main branch.

Regents are appointed for six years by the Board of Directors, acting on a proposal from the Governor, and half shall complete their terms of office every three years. They may be reappointed. The number of regents depends on the activity of each main branch; the branch manager is also a member of the board.

The regents are chosen from among persons who have a thorough knowledge of the local economy. The candidates for the position of regent are selected among persons with significant experience in business, the professions, university teaching or high-level public management who also meet the requirement of integrity and independence.

Each board of regents elects, for a three-year period, a chairman and a secretary from among its members; they may be re-elected.

The councillors of the local branches. Each local branch may have between foru and ten councillors, depending on the activity of the branch. The councillors are appointed by the Board of Directors, acting on a proposal from the Governor, from amongst persons meeting the same requirements laid down for the regents. Their term of office is six years and half complete their terms of office every three years. They may be reappointed.

Related Topics

Services for the public

The pages on the various services provide information, forms, further information. You can also call the toll-free number 800.196969 or apply to the branches of the Bank of Italy.

Regional Economies

These reports (published only in Italian) analyse the economic situation and the economic and financial structure of the Italian regions and the macro-areas, and geographical differences in credit supply and demand. The series features annual reports and updates, which are published in June and November respectively.