About the ECB

Banking supervision

The ECB is responsible for the effective and consistent functioning of the Single Supervisory Mechanism (SSM) in ensuring the safety and soundness of the European banking system through consistent supervision. It carries out the related tasks together with the national supervisors of participating EU countries.

A young institution – with lots of expertise

Banking supervision is a new responsibility for the ECB, but it draws upon the many years of expertise of the national supervisory authorities.

The institution is also “young” in the sense that over 50% of its staff members are aged between 35 and 45, and the average age of its managers is about 45.

Other tasks

The ECB was established in 1998 and is best-known for its monthly interest rate decisions. These are taken jointly with the national central banks of the euro area and apply to the countries that have adopted the euro. Other tasks include the conduct of foreign exchange operations and the ensuring of the smooth operation of payment systems

The ECB’s micro-prudential function is organised into four Directorates General and a Secretariat to the Supervisory Board. In addition, a number of existing ECB functions and services, such as IT, HR, budget, statistics, communications and administration, provide support for its supervisory tasks.

Organisational structure

The ECB wishes to be a workplace where staff members feel included and respected, and that their individual talents are valued, developed and rewarded. We are looking for open-minded and tolerant Europeans.

Diversity at the ECB

Diversity is a key contributor to our success. As a European Union institution, the ECB aspires to be an organisation in which diversity is welcomed and appreciated in all its facets for the richness that it offers. The facets of diversity include – but are not limited to – gender, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, age, cultural background and disability.

Values

We have identified the following six organisational values that guide our day-to-day activities:

Competence

We aim at the highest degree of professional excellence, in an environment of equal opportunities.

Effectiveness and efficiency

We perform our tasks in a goal-oriented manner, allocating our resources in an optimal way through cost-awareness and prioritisation.

Integrity

We live up to the highest standards in terms of honesty, loyalty and commitment to our institution.

Team spirit

We cooperate closely and at all levels with our colleagues across business areas, the Eurosystem and the ESCB, building on our diversity and synergies.

Transparency and accountability

We share information with a sense of openness and responsibility; we recognise and strive to fulfil our accountability obligations.

Working for Europe

We work in the interests of Europe, an ever closer union, and its active participation in the international community. We are enriched by our common values and cultural diversity.

Ethics

The ECB has set itself high ethical standards. Its staff members must meet these standards in order to maintain the public’s confidence.

The framework includes the Protocol on the Statute of the ESCB and of the ECB (Article 38) and the Ethics Framework.

The Ethics Framework is internally implemented and monitored by the ECB Compliance and Governance Office.

Ethics Framework

Protocol on the Statute of the ESCB and the ECB

The health and well-being of our staff are of the utmost importance to us. Our employees need the time to cultivate personal interests and achieve a good balance between their professional and private commitments.

As a staff member you are entitled to 30.5 working days of annual leave per calendar year. Robert Schuman Day and German public holidays are also observed (up to 14 working days per annum).

For further information on the specific leave you are entitled to take under each type of contract, please check the pages under You have been selected, what next?

The ECB’s premises comprises of three buildings: the new Main building in the east of Frankfurt, and the Eurotower as well as the Japan Center in the city centre.

In the second half of 2014 the ECB moved into its new premises on the site of the former Grossmarkthalle (wholesale market) in the east of Frankfurt.

Staff working in banking supervision at the ECB are located in the Eurotower and the Japan Center.

Facilities

As an ECB employee, you – and your family – can join the ECB’s Sports and Cultural Club, which has around 25 different sections, including badminton, cinema, dance, choir, hiking, karate, scuba diving and tennis.

The ECB’s facilities include subsidised staff restaurants, a coffee bar and a gym with discounted membership rates.

We also organise social events for our staff members and their families.