Payment systems in the European Union: Addendum incorporating 1997 figures

The European Central Bank (ECB) is today releasing to the public an addendum, incorporating 1997 data, to the descriptive guide to the payment and securities settlement systems operating in the Member States of the European Union (EU), the so-called "Blue Book". The publication has been prepared by the ECB with the assistance of the EU central banks.

This "Blue Book Addendum" provides the third update of the country data and comparative tables given in the Blue Book published in April 1996. The data, where appropriate, are presented as time series in order to facilitate the analysis of recent developments.

The "Blue Book Addendum" will be distributed by each of the EU central banks to interested parties in their respective countries. It will also be available from the ECB at the following address: