1. History and Archives: just another marketing tool
History and Archives: just another marketing tool? Celebrating the BIS’s 90th Anniversary,
45th SIO-ICA meeting, NATO Headquarters, Brussels, Belgium – May 2019
© Piet Clement, BIS, 2019.
The views expressed in this presentation are those of the author, and not necessarily those of the Bank for International Settlements

2. The Bank for International Settlements: a one-slide history
Cooperative organisation for central banks, created in 1930 (Basel, CH);
Nearly abolished in 1944;
1950s-80s: focus on Europe – EPU > EMA > EMS > EMU;
From 1960s: Bretton Woods > G10;
Crisis 1970s: financial stability concerns > BCBS – Basel I, II & III;
1990s-2010s: globalisation > from 35 member central banks to 60 / from G10 to G22;

3. The BIS and its archives: an ambivalent approach
Strong reasons for NOT being OPEN:
Banking, monetary policy and financial stability issues require discretion and confidentiality (meeting participants will be more reluctant to speak their mind if they know records will be opened);
BIS Archives are protected (Statutes) and BIS is not subject to Freedom of Information legislation;
Being open requires resources + possible litigation concerns.
Strong reasons for being OPEN:
Good practice: national standards and peer organisations;
Reputational risks: need for greater transparency and accountability;
Desire to support scientific research, to improve knowledge on BIS’s role.

4. The rules of the game (see: www.bis.org)
The archives of the BIS enjoy special protection under the Bank's Headquarters Agreement (Art. 3, 2). In the interest of openness and academic research, the Bank voluntarily decided to open its historical archive to the public in March Under the BIS open archive rules, all records relating to the Bank's business and operational activities which are over 30 years old are available for consultation, with the exception of a limited number of records that remain private or confidential even after 30 years have elapsed. It is within the BIS's discretion to determine which records will not be released for public consultation. Any such decision will normally be based on the principle of protection of personal privacy and of legitimate third-party interests.

5. 22 years of BIS Open Archives: some lessons
Have proper procedures: for appraisal and release of archival material, and for handling research requests (internal and external)
Build internal knowledge: share and spread knowledge on key collections and their value for historical research
Build internal credibility: can the Archives unit credibly handle confidentiality issues and sensitive release decisions? Manage relationship with key stakeholders: Management, Legal Service, Security,…
Manage expectations: both of the archives visitors and the institution (resource requirements)
Never neglect your role as an internal service provider: be present, be useful > strengthen the role of the Archives unit (“what is not used, has no value”…)

6. Archives as a corporate tool
Provide internal research support: Management (speeches!), research (BIS Monetary and Economic Department), Legal Service;
Awareness and local outreach: newcomers’ presentations, Intranet presence, lectures for internal and external audiences;
Deal with external enquiries;
Allow/support/perform external academic research;
Exhibitions.

7. BIS 90th Anniversary – objectives
EXTERNAL
INTERNAL
To increase awareness and understanding of what the BIS does and why
To showcase the BIS’s relevance and essential role in the global financial system
To promote the Bank’s unique culture and role to instil pride amongst staff members
To celebrate the BIS’s longevity but also its adaptability to change over time
To recognise staff members’ contributions to the success of the BIS
To increase interest in and engagement with the BIS
To bring staff together from across the BIS as one organisation
To improve the Bank’s reputation
To reinforce the Bank’s strategy and build enthusiasm for what lays ahead

8. BIS 90th Anniversary Programme, 20201 2 3 4
Publication / Conference
Five independent academics have been invited to shine their light on the BIS and the role it has played from the early 1970s up to the late 2010s.
Exhibition
An exhibition, to be held in the BIS Tower at the time of the 2020 AGM, will showcase the Bank's past, present and future role in the global financial system.
Events
the Bank will celebrate its 90th anniversary together with its shareholders and customers at the 2020 AGM. But of course there will also be a party for staff, pensioners and their families.
Schools
The BIS wants to engage with students, fostering a better understanding of the global financial system and the role of the BIS.

9. Conclusion
Yes, corporate archives are an important tool to create/support the corporate culture, for outreach purposes, and even for marketing: eg internal communications and events, publications, external events and exhibitions;
All the more important to avoid a selective or biased approach: in the long-term interests of the organisation (in terms of credibility, transparency and accountability), archives must apply rigorous standards that ensure equal and unbiased access, and that encourage a fair and critical reflection on the organisation’s past;
Openness to external researchers is an essential precondition!
Only a professionally organised archives service can provide this!

10. Thank you for your attention!