Welcome to the Bank of Finland Museum

Opening hours

Tuesday–Friday from 11 to 17
Saturday–Sunday from 11 to 16
Closed on Mondays

Exceptional opening hours

Contact information

Snellmaninkatu 2, 00170 Helsinki
Tel. +358 9 183 2981
Free entrance

Book a guided visit

Café

The Museum café and gift shop are open during the Museum's opening hours.

The task of the Bank of Finland Museum is to promote the general public’s knowledge of the economy

Where does money come from? What is inflation and how does it affect all of our lives? What is my place in the national economy? You can find the answers to these and many other questions at the Bank of Finland Museum and the Financial Literacy Centre, which operates in connection with the Museum. The task of the Bank of Finland Museum is to promote the general public’s knowledge of the economy, the Bank of Finland and the Eurosystem by providing clear and understandable information on them. The Financial Literacy Centre, which operates in connection with the Museum, promotes the financial literacy of the general public. Guided tours and events deepen visitors’ knowledge of money and the economy.

The history of money and payments

One of the functions of money is to serve as a measure of value. It is important that the value of money remains stable. In times past, this was ensured by using precious metals as money. Now the stability of the value of money is the responsibility of monetary policy. Price stability is also important for fulfilling the other functions of money (medium of exchange and store of value). The stability of the value of money is measured by price indices, the most important of which is the Consumer Price Index.

Monetary policy

Central banks regulate the money supply and interest rates in the economy. Monetary policy plays a key role in maintaining economic stability and promoting economic growth. Finland is part of the euro area, which has a single monetary policy managed by the Eurosystem. As a member of the Eurosystem, the Bank of Finland participates in preparation of the single monetary policy, related decision-making and implementation in the euro area. The main objective of Eurosystem monetary policy is to maintain price stability in the euro area and thereby safeguard the purchasing power of the euro.

What is money? Learn how to manage your own budget at the Financial Literacy Centre

Financial literacy is a key civic skill that enables citizens to make short- and long-term decisions about their own finances and to participate in financial activities in society and the marketplace. Financial literacy is needed in all areas of our own finances: everyday spending, planning and financial preparedness, purchasing, borrowing, saving, investing/owning and insuring.

Banknote art

Banknotes represent utility and art graphics at their best. Banknotes are printed using the best possible printing technology to prevent counterfeiting. The visual motifs, in turn, reflect the artistic style of the period when the banknotes were designed.