Central banks play a critical role, not only in shaping monetary policy but also in fostering the development and stability of payment systems. Central banks supervise the integrity of the payment system and, in many cases, operate them themselves. Payments receive less public attention than monetary policy or, when things go wrong, financial regulation and supervision. But this does not mean that they are not important. Quite the contrary. Without efficient payments, our monetary and financial system would not be trustworthy, reliable, secure and accessible to all.
I am delighted to join you today to discuss payment systems in the Americas. In my remarks, I will provide an overview of what we have achieved in this space so far, as well as the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
